HUME Riverina Community Legal Service (HRCLS) has welcomed state funding to support the strategic delivery of legal services and improve justice outcomes for people most in need across North East Victoria.

HRCLS will receive $1 million over five years under the Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner’s Strong Foundations grant round.

This grant will support existing legal service delivery programs that provide direct legal services in family and civil law to resolve everyday legal problems experienced by people in local communities arising from family violence, climate and disaster impacts, and economic vulnerability.

HRCLS will also receive a share of a $2.7 million grant announced under the Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner’s Advancing Housing Justice Change Grant program to tackle regional housing injustice.

This grant will be shared with six regional partners - ARC Justice in Shepparton, Ballarat and Grampians Community Legal Service, Barwon Community Legal Centre, Gippsland Community Legal Service and Mallee Family Care Community Legal Centre.

Sarah Rodgers, manager and principal lawyer at HRCLS, said the centre was thrilled to have received funding under these two grants.

"We have advocated strongly for adequate and secure funding to provide legal services to communities in the North East and are pleased the Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner has recognised the impact of our work in improving access to justice,” Ms Rogers said.

“Last year we assisted 1338 clients with almost 3000 legal services, and on top of this we provided community legal education, and advocated for law reform to address systemic injustice – activities that multiply our impact and make lasting change for people and communities.”

Debi Fisher, managing lawyer of generalist services at HRCLS, said the funding will make a difference in regional communities.

“HRCLS welcomes funding to address regional housing injustice as a partner in Collaborate for Change: Advancing Housing Justice in Regional Victoria, a two-year project that will identify and drive long-term solutions and systemic change to support regional renters and people at risk of homelessness,” she said.