ACOSS applauds $500 million investment for social housing
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ACOSS (Australian Council of Social Service) applauds the Federal Government’s deal with the Greens to invest an additional $500 million to retrofit social housing properties
A significant investment in social housing energy efficiency has been announced, with the Federal Government and the Greens agreeing to allocate an additional $500 million to the Social Housing Energy Performance Initiative (SHEPI). This funding will be used to retrofit another 50,000 public and community homes with energy-efficient, electric, and solar upgrades.
Dr Cassandra Goldie, CEO of ACOSS (Australian Council of Social Service), praised the government and the Greens for this important step. “This is an important investment that will improve the lives of thousands of people living in social housing who are struggling with extremely hot conditions and skyrocketing energy costs,” she said.
“Home energy upgrades mean permanent and significant cuts to energy bills, healthier living conditions, and a significant reduction in carbon emissions.”
Recent ACOSS research has highlighted the severe impact of rising energy costs on people experiencing financial stress, with many struggling to cool their homes during summer and suffering from heat-related illnesses.
“We applaud the Greens and the Government for listening to the voices of the community and working together to deliver this funding, which will help ensure people on low incomes are not left behind in the energy transition,” Dr Goldie said.
ACOSS has long advocated for substantial investment in upgrading and retrofitting social housing. The organisation urges states and territories to match the federal funding to maximise the benefits for social housing tenants.
“We urge states and territories to match this funding so that more people in social housing benefit, and, along with the federal government, commit to upgrading all social housing by 2030,” Dr Goldie said.
ACOSS also emphasises the need for solutions to help people in private rentals and low-income homeowners benefit from home energy upgrades, such as mandating energy performance standards for rental properties.
With the additional $500 million, SHEPI could potentially expand to $1 billion and upgrade 100,000 homes, if states and territories choose to match the funding. This investment will not only reduce energy costs for tenants by approximately $1,800 annually per household but also contribute to a more sustainable and equitable future.
Also read: ACOSS on Senate’s Equitable Energy Bill
