Overview
The Energy Efficiency in Social Housing Program (EESHP) supports upgrades to social housing homes across Victoria, helping residents reduce energy costs, improve comfort, and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
The Victorian Government, in partnership with the Australian Government, will deliver up to 60,000 energy efficiency upgrades to 23,600 social housing homes, including converting 5,000 homes to all-electric.
The program has been delivering energy efficiency upgrades in social housing since 2020 and will continue through to 2029.
The program delivers tailored upgrades to eligible public, community and Aboriginal housing properties based on each home’s condition and needs.
These upgrades may include:
- efficient electric heating and cooling
- heat pump hot water systems
- electric cooking appliances, including induction cooktops
- ceiling insulation
- draught sealing
- removal of gas connections (where appropriate)
- solar PV.
The program delivers benefits for residents by:
- lowering household energy bills
- improving comfort in hot and cold weather
- supporting better health outcomes
- reducing emissions from older housing stock.
Public housing upgrades
Public housing upgrades are being delivered in partnership with Homes Victoria. Properties are identified by Homes Victoria, and residents do not need to apply.
The program offers participation directly to eligible households as part of the upgrade rollout.
For more information on the Victorian Government’s Energy Efficiency in Social Housing Program Public Housing stream, visit Homes Victoria's Energy Efficiency in Social Housing Program.
Community housing upgrades
Delivered by DEECA, the Community Housing Upgrades Stream provides grant funding to community housing organisations (CHOs) to deliver energy efficiency upgrades to eligible community housing properties.
This stream supports community housing organisations to plan and implement upgrades that improve the performance, comfort and sustainability of their housing portfolios. Residents of community housing cannot apply for this grant.
Community housing upgrades stream
Overview
Apply for a grant of up to $18,000 on average, per property across a portfolio to undertake energy efficiency and electrification upgrades in community housing properties.
- Grants are open to Community Housing Organisations.
- $9.27 million funding was awarded in Round 1.
- Round 2 is expected to open June-July 2026.
- A cash co-contribution is required from applicants for their properties.
Grants will be awarded over three rounds, the funding available for future rounds is subject to agreement with the Australian Government.
Coordinated by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), this information session covered:
The information session for Round 1 was held on Monday 15 December 2025.
