Lower income households need greater support to cope with rising energy costs and adapt to climate change. In August 2023, as part of the Healthy Homes for Renters coalition (and led by Solar Citizens) we asked the NSW Government to commit to co-funding energy performance upgrades for NSW social housing properties. In the same month, Shelter NSW specifically called this out in our Pre-Budget Submission to the NSW Government. We called for it to commit $60 million over 2 years for energy efficiency upgrades and electrification of low performing social housing properties, to supplement and attract Commonwealth funding through the Household Energy Upgrades Fund.
 
We are therefore very pleased to see the Prime Minister, NSW Premier and Climate & Energy Ministers recently announce a $206 million package for energy saving upgrades. The package includes $175 million (over 4 years) to improve the energy performance of social housing properties with $30 million Commonwealth funding to improve access to solar for low-income renters and apartment dwellers.
 
We thank our friends at the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) and Sydney Alliance (with its brilliant Voices for Power campaign) for their steadfast and energetic campaigning on this important topic.