Over 8,000 more Victorian households will get lower energy bills and more comfortable homes with energy upgrades like rooftop solar, ceiling fans and electric hot water systems through a boost in funding from the Albanese and Allan Labor Governments to upgrade the state’s public and community housing.
The Albanese Labor Government is providing $120.3 million (USD 86 million) under the Social Housing Energy Performance Initiative (SHEPI) to enable works around Victoria to upgrade thousands of additional public and community housing properties with upgrades that will keep homes cooler in summer, and warmer in the winter.
Upgrades include energy efficient heating and cooling systems, hot water heat pumps, electric cooktops, ceiling insulation, draught sealing, and solar panels.
The Victorian expansion brings overall investment in the partnership with the Victorian Government to $263.7 million and will mean that around 19,000 public and community housing properties will receive energy upgrades under the SHEPI.
Victoria has completed upgrades for almost 3,500 homes, delivering nearly 10,500 individual upgrades under the joint SHEPI program to help residents cut their energy bills and make homes more liveable at the same time.
SHEPI is delivered through the Energy Efficiency in Social Housing Program (EESHP) in Victoria, including the Community Housing Upgrades Stream with $9 million for Community Housing Organisations in this first round.
Funded by $7 million from the Victorian Budget 26/27 and $2 million from the initial SHEPI agreement, the state’s Community Housing Upgrades Stream is providing grants of on average $18,000 per property.
The following community housing organisations have received funding under Round 1 of the Community Housing Upgrades Stream:
- Vincent Care Community Housing
- Each Housing Ltd
- Rural Housing Network Ltd (Beyond Housing)
- Unison Housing Ltd
- Launch Housing Ltd
- Housing First Ltd
- YWCA Housing
- Community Housing (Victoria) Ltd
These successful organisations will deliver upgrades including installing reverse cycle air conditioners, ceiling insulation, and solar panels, thereby creating cheaper-to-run and more comfortable homes for community housing renters. The projects are expected to deliver approximately 3,000 energy efficiency upgrades across more than 900 Victorian homes.
The Albanese Government, alongside state and territory governments, is jointly investing $1.1 billion for bill busting energy performance upgrades to social housing through SHEPI, upgrading 100,000 homes across the country, cutting bills for good.
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Josh Wilson:
“Delivering energy performance upgrades through the Social Housing Energy Performance Initiative means that we share the benefit of cheaper energy bills and more comfortable homes with a focus on equity as we power towards a net zero future for Australia.
“Together with the Victorian Government, we are now investing $263.7 million to expand the Social Housing Energy Performance Initiative in the state.
“At a time when cost of living pressures are front of mind for so many Australians, everybody should have access to energy efficient appliances and equipment that lower energy bills and make homes more comfortable for social housing residents.”
Quotes attributable to Special Envoy for Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience, Kate Thwaites:
“The Albanese Government is proud to be partnering with the Allan Government to improve community and social housing.
“Victorians are increasingly experiencing more extreme weather events. Through this program we’re able to protect some of our most vulnerable households from the worst climate impacts, while keeping their power bills low.”
Quotes attributable to Victorian Minister for Climate Action, Lily D’Ambrosio:
“By delivering free electrification upgrades to renters in community and social housing, we’re turning modern, efficient homes into real bill savings, cutting energy costs while improving comfort and security for households who need it most.”
Quotes attributable to Victorian Minister for Housing, Nick Staikos:
“Everyone deserves a home that’s comfortable to live in and affordable to run. By modernising social housing, we’re not just upgrading buildings – we’re improving everyday life and creating homes fit for the future.”
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