$18M Federal–NSW Program to Upgrade 2,300 Social Housing Homes with Renewable Energy by 2026

The Albanese and Minns Labor Governments have announced a joint initiative with 22 Community Housing Providers to upgrade more than 2,300 social housing properties across New South Wales, aiming to make homes more energy-efficient, comfortable, and affordable to run.

The $18 million investment — funded jointly by the Australian and NSW Governments alongside Community Housing Providers — will support the installation of renewable and smart energy features such as rooftop and shared solar systems, reverse cycle air conditioning, energy-efficient hot water systems, ceiling insulation, window shading, draught proofing, LED lighting, and ceiling fans.

The program seeks to address the high energy inefficiency of Australian homes, particularly within the social housing sector, where residents are disproportionately affected by heating and cooling costs. The upgrades are expected to reduce utility bills, improve liveability, and contribute to emissions reduction targets.

All works are scheduled for completion by the end of 2026. The funding forms part of a broader $175 million program aimed at upgrading approximately 24,000 social housing homes across NSW by mid-2027. In its first year, more than 2,000 properties have already received improvements.

This initiative complements the NSW Government’s $6.6 billion Building Homes for NSW program, the largest housing investment in the state’s history.

Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said the upgrades would deliver “lasting cost-of-living relief” by making homes “cheaper to run and more comfortable to live in, as well as cutting emissions.”

Federal Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy Josh Wilson highlighted the benefits for residents, noting the upgrades would “improve the liveability of their homes” and enable “broader participation in the emissions reduction task.”

NSW Minister for Climate Change and Energy Penny Sharpe described the partnership as a way to ensure renewable energy and smart features were “accessible to everyone in NSW,” while NSW Minister for Housing Rose Jackson emphasised that “people in social housing deserve homes that are safe, liveable and energy-efficient.”