State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin has congratulated Social Futures Limited on being one of the 22 Community Housing providers securing joint NSW-Australian Government funding to make energy upgrades to social housing homes by 31 December 2026.

Ms Saffin welcomed confirmation that a Community Housing Energy Performance Grant of $127,303 would go towards 60 energy upgrades across eight community housing properties in the Lismore City Local Government Area.

The federal and state governments are partnering with 22 Community Housing providers, including Social Futures, to upgrade thousands of social housing homes to make them cheaper to run, more comfortable to live in, and better for the environment.

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.

For more information, visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/community-housing-energy-performance-grant

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.”