Climate change presents a financial and social risk to which we must take steps to minimise our footprint and build resilience. At Haven Home Safe and as part of our ESG+ Strategy we recognise that access to energy efficient housing is good for both residents and the environment.
As a member of the Property Council of Victoria’s Sustainability Committee we contributed to their submission into the Legislative Assembly Environment and Planning Committee Inquiry into renewable and affordable energy for apartments.
One of the 11 recommendations the Council put forward was to: Minimise funding criteria within future government programs to enable Community Housing Providers (CHPs) to more effectively deliver meaningful sustainable energy upgrades across a diverse array of community housing sites.
Rarely are CHP owned apartments and homes eligible for government funding programs which support the transition from gas to electricity and from conventional to renewable energy sources. Stringent and overcomplicated criteria for these programs mean that CHP’s are forced to use limited internal capital expenditure to fund these works. With many competing and urgent priorities, often these projects get delayed and pushed down the priority list.
However – we know from our own solar installation project that when CHPs can access funding for these projects, the positive impact of this energy transition for residents is immediate. In 2022, Haven Home Safe received funding support from the Victorian Government for its Maintenance Stimulus Program. Bolstered by a private donor, the Asset and Maintenance Team installed solar panels in Bendigo, Mildura, Swan Hill and Robinvale.
Feedback from renters with access to solar-powered electricity suggested that the program had a significant positive financial impact. One individual reported that the installation of solar reduced their bills by more than 50 per cent, demonstrating the incredible impact CHP-directed government funding can have for low-income households.
A recent national renter energy hardship survey revealed that between 32 percent and 40 percent of renters were uncomfortable during winter and summer due to inefficient housing and 35 percent of renters always or often struggle to pay their energy bills.[1]
As we look to the future, in addition to reducing funding barriers within government programs to enable Community Housing Providers (CHPs) to more effectively deliver meaningful sustainable energy upgrades we also need to look at the lifecycle of these products.
It is essential that an allowance for the ongoing operations and maintenance of an energy upgrade – such as costs to service and upkeep solar panels – are included in future funding packages.
With Australia prioritising transition to renewable energy sources to deliver electricity to homes, collaboration and funding to support this shift in community housing will benefit many.
[1] 2025 Household Energy survey Report for Haven Home Safe. Prepared by Community Housing Industry Association NSW (CHIA NSW)
