These upgrades will deliver lasting cost of living relief, while making renewable and smart energy features more accessible.
More than 2,300 homes will be upgraded with nearly $18 million in joint funding from the Australian and NSW governments, as well as Community Housing Providers.
The upgrades will include a range of potential measures:
- rooftop solar panels and shared solar systems
- reverse cycle air conditioning
- energy-efficient hot water systems
- ceiling insulation, window shading and draught proofing
- LED lighting and ceiling fans.
Australia has some of the coldest and least energy-efficient homes in the developed world. People in social housing often feel this the most. These upgrades will help keep homes warmer in winter, cooler in summer and make them cheaper to run.
All works are expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
This funding is part of a $175 million program jointly delivered by the Australian and NSW governments to upgrade around 24,000 social housing homes by mid-2027. In its first year, more than 2,000 homes have already received upgrades.
This is on top of the NSW government’s record investment in housing through the $6.6 billion Building Homes for NSW program.
This is practical cost of living relief. It will help vulnerable households save on energy bills while cutting emissions across the state.
Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, said: “Upgrading solar and energy efficiency in social housing is all about lasting cost-of-living relief that makes houses cheaper to run and more comfortable to live in, as well as cutting emissions.”
“Cooler homes in the hot months and warmer homes in winter lock in lasting bill relief and protection from international energy price spikes.”
Federal Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Josh Wilson, said: “These renewable and smart energy upgrades will bring welcome energy bill relief for community housing residents, improve the liveability of their homes, and enable broader participation in the emissions reduction task as our country accelerates the clean energy transition.”
NSW Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Penny Sharpe, said: “Thousands of community housing residents will benefit from lower bills, more comfortable homes and a reduced carbon footprint thanks to these upgrades.”
“Partnering with the Albanese Government means renewable energy and smart features are accessible to everyone in NSW.”
NSW Minister for Housing, Rose Jackson, said: “This is direct action to help people who need it most. We are upgrading homes so they cost less to run, are more comfortable to live in, and help tackle climate change.”
“People in social housing deserve homes that are safe, liveable and energy-efficient. These upgrades are about cutting bills, cutting emissions, and delivering a better quality of life.”
By submitting this form you agree to pv magazine using your data for the purposes of publishing your comment.
Your personal data will only be disclosed or otherwise transmitted to third parties for the purposes of spam filtering or if this is necessary for technical maintenance of the website. Any other transfer to third parties will not take place unless this is justified on the basis of applicable data protection regulations or if pv magazine is legally obliged to do so.
You may revoke this consent at any time with effect for the future, in which case your personal data will be deleted immediately. Otherwise, your data will be deleted if pv magazine has processed your request or the purpose of data storage is fulfilled.
Further information on data privacy can be found in our Data Protection Policy.