Queensland social housing tenants to get $97m energy upgrades to cut bills and improve comfort

Thousands of Queensland social housing tenants are set to benefit from a $97.1 million investment to improve the energy performance of their homes and reduce household energy bills.

Under the Albanese Government’s Social Housing Energy Performance Initiative (SHEPI), around 8,000 additional properties will receive upgrades, including approximately 7,000 public housing and 1,000 community housing properties. Work is due to begin this year.

Upgrades could include ceiling insulation, energy-efficient ceiling fans, electric stoves, efficient hot water systems and rooftop solar.

The improvements are designed to reduce energy consumption while helping tenants keep their homes cooler during Queensland’s hot summers and more comfortable during winter.

More than 15,000 social housing properties in Queensland have already received upgrades through SHEPI.

Nationally, the initiative represents a $1.1 billion investment, including $800 million from the Albanese Government, to deliver energy-performance upgrades to more than 100,000 social housing properties across Australia. More than 41,000 upgrades have already been completed.

Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy Josh Wilson said the latest investment would help social housing tenants reduce energy costs while improving the comfort of their homes.

“Energy efficiency is one of the most effective ways to reduce household energy costs, particularly for people doing it toughest,” Wilson said.

Queensland Minister for Housing and Public Works Sam O’Connor said the partnership would deliver “real savings” and more comfortable homes for social housing residents.

The Queensland Government said the investment would build on its broader programme of maintaining and upgrading the state’s social housing stock.

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