Helping Households Most In Need Reduce Their Energy Costs

The Andrews Labor Government is delivering $17 million to reduce energy costs for households that need it most.

The Home Energy Assist program, which provides funding for more than 3,300 Victorian homes to become more energy efficient, has had its funding increased by an additional $8.1 million allocated in the Victorian Budget 2017/18.

The Home Energy Assist package now includes:

• $6.5 million for the Victorian Healthy Homes Program, to upgrade the homes of 1,000 vulnerable Victorians with complex healthcare needs and low incomes
• $4.3 million for the EnergySmart Public Housing Program, which will replace inefficient electric water heaters and electric heaters in 1,300 public housing properties and deliver tailored upgrades to a further 200 from July 2017
• $6.1 million as part of an Affordable Retrofits Program to support more than 800 Victorian concession card holders with home energy retrofits, appliance replacements, solar panels and energy literacy programs.

In addition, the Labor Government will also spend $1 million to update the Victorian Energy Compare website https://compare.switchon.vic.gov.au/ to include cost-reflective and other innovative tariffs, to ensure that the website can respond to the introduction of new tariffs by energy retailers.

The EnergySmart Public Housing Program is in addition to the Government’s $185 million program to redevelop over 11,000 public housing homes to ensure they are better suited to Victorians needs.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio

“We know that increasing energy costs are affecting Victorians, especially the most vulnerable.”

“The funding allocated in our last Budget to improve the Victorian Energy Compare website will enable Victorians to better navigate the energy prices available and get the best possible deal.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Housing, Disability and Ageing Martin Foley

“We are upgrading public housing throughout Victoria to give residents a modern home they can be safe and comfortable in.”

“The EnergySmart Public Housing Program will give tenants greater comfort at home – at no extra cost to them.”