The $175 million Social Housing Energy Performance Initiative (SHEPI), jointly funded by the Federal and New South Wales governments, has delivered energy efficient upgrades to tenants in more than 1000 social housing properties.
The initiative aims to provide crucial upgrades to reduce energy bills, keep homes more liveable year-round, and lower emissions.
Upgrades include new heat pump hot water heaters, solar sharing systems, ceiling insulation, electric stoves and split system air conditioners.
Since the initiative’s launch in January 2024, households in regional New South Wales and Western Sydney have received these upgrades with more to be rolled out across the state.
The upgraded properties so far are a mix of State Government-owned and managed homes, along with those managed by Aboriginal community housing providers.
The New South Wales Government said that approximately 24,000 social housing dwellings in the state are set to benefit through the course of the initiative to June 2027.
SHEPI is a collaboration between the Federal and State governments, including the New South Wales Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Homes NSW, the Aboriginal Housing Office (AHO), and both Aboriginal and Community Housing Providers.
Along with energy upgrades to their home, tenants are provided with information and guidance on how to best operate their home as efficiently as possible with the new features.
Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, said that the Federal Government is driving down energy bills with social housing upgrades to help bring cost of living relief to some 24,000 New South Wales homes.
“Working with the State Government to deliver better energy performance in social housing means warmer homes in winter, cooler homes in summer and cheaper bills year-round.”
Federal Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Josh Wilson, said that the milestone shows that the strong partnership is making a real difference right now for social housing tenants, who are among the least able to afford energy efficiency upgrades, and yet most affected by energy costs.
“The Federal Government is making sure everyone can benefit from technologies that improve the energy performance of their homes.”
New South Wales Minister for Housing, Rose Jackson, said, “This program is a crucial initiative that demonstrates our commitment to improving the living conditions of social housing tenants in New South Wales.
“The installation of solar systems, heat pumps, and insulation across social housing is a significant step towards creating homes that are more affordable to maintain and better equipped to withstand changing environmental conditions.”
