There is no place like home. A place to rest, clean, prepare food, sleep, connect with family and friends. And in summer in Australia, cool down and hide away from the heat. But far too many people in our country do not have access to a safe, healthy home that protects them from extreme heat. And because they rent their home, or do not have the financial means to improve its thermal performance, they cannot make the changes that their home needs to be safe and healthy in summer.
Our federal peak body colleagues at the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS), together with the First Nations Clean Energy Network (FNCEN) and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing Association (NATSIHA), are running their Heat in Homes Survey again this year. They’re collecting stories from people dealing with hot homes and high energy bills to advocate for government investment in housing upgrades. If you’ve struggled with summer heat at home this year, please take their survey (it takes about 10 minutes).
The survey closes on 28 January, so there’s still time to have your say. They’re particularly keen to hear from renters, people on low incomes, First Nations people, people with disability, and anyone whose home doesn’t keep them safe from the heat. Your experience helps build the evidence for change. Â