Thousands of NSW social housing tenants are set to benefit from major energy efficiency upgrades, with 2,300 homes to be retrofitted under an $18 million joint program between the Albanese and Minns governments.
The funding package, supported by contributions from 22 community housing providers, will deliver rooftop solar, reverse-cycle air conditioning, energy-efficient hot water, insulation, LED lighting and other efficiency measures.
The upgrades aim to cut household energy bills, improve comfort in extreme weather, and reduce emissions. Australia’s housing stock is among the least energy-efficient in the developed world, with low-income tenants often most affected by high heating and cooling costs.
“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,” said Federal Climate and Energy Minister Chris Bowen.
Projects will be rolled out across NSW, with the largest allocations going to Home in Place ($3 million), Uniting NSW ACT ($1.75 million), and Argyle Housing ($1.74 million). Other grants range from $50,000 for Habilis Housing to $923,519 for Housing Plus.
Federal Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy Josh Wilson said the works would “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 Climate and Energy Minister 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.”
The works are expected to be completed by the end of 2026, forming part of a $175 million joint program to upgrade around 24,000 social housing properties by mid-2027. More than 2,000 homes have already been upgraded in the program’s first year.
“People in social housing deserve homes that are safe, liveable and energy-efficient,” said NSW Housing Minister Rose Jackson.
“These upgrades are about cutting bills, cutting emissions, and delivering a better quality of life.”
Measures such as rooftop and shared solar systems are expected to deliver significant savings for tenants while increasing grid resilience and renewable generation capacity. Draught proofing, window shading and efficient appliances will also help stabilise indoor temperatures and reduce peak energy demand.