The Western Australian Government has announced a $63.2 million partnership to upgrade social housing properties across the state.
Up to 4300 households will benefit from home energy upgrades, aimed at reducing energy consumption and lowering power bills.
Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said the Government is committed to helping households make real cost of living savings through their energy bills.
“The Albanese and Cook Governments are helping all Australians to reap the rewards of the clean energy transformation,” Bowen said.
Social housing properties in Australia are notorious for their energy inefficiency, with most built over two decades ago before modern energy standards.
By upgrading these homes from a 1-star energy efficiency rating to a 3-star rating, energy consumption can be slashed by up to 30 per cent.
The WA Social Housing Energy Performance Initiative, set to run until 2027, targets remote and regional residents in hotter climates, including the Kimberley, Pilbara, Gascoyne, Mid West, and Goldfield regions.
The upgrades will include improved hot water systems and lighting.
Properties eligible for upgrades will be identified by the WA Department of Communities and either owned or managed by the department on behalf of landholders.
This initiative is part of the Federal Government’s broader $1.7 billion Energy Savings Package, with $300 million allocated specifically for social housing upgrades nationwide.
WA Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Action Reece Whitby said the WA Government has a strong record of making energy affordable for Western Australians.
“That includes by investing billions of dollars in the State’s supply of clean energy and providing $1800 worth of electricity credits since 2020. This investment builds on that record,” Whitby said.
“By supporting energy efficiency in social housing, we are lowering power bills for some of our State’s most vulnerable communities, making a real impact on their daily lives.῎
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