The Victorian Government is helping more than 600 vulnerable Victorians minimise their electricity bills with the installation of solar panels in social housing across Melbourne and Geelong. In the Southern Metropolitan Region, this includes sites located in Elsternwick and Prahran.
The $230,000 grant from the Victorian Property Fund has seen solar panels installed in a total of 20 buildings and 47 stand-alone houses, meaning larger families are also benefitting from the grant.
The Victorian Property Fund supports development projects to increase the supply of long-term affordable housing for low income and disadvantaged Victorians.
The project was carried out by Unison Housing Limited in partnership with Prahran Malvern Community Housing Inc, both of which have a long-standing commitment to providing secure accommodation for vulnerable Victorians.
The addition of the solar panels helps keep the overall cost of social housing affordable and significantly reduces the environmental impact of the buildings and houses.
Altogether, residents are set to save an estimated $2.1 million over the expected 25-year life span of the panels.
The buildings also include other sustainable features, such as water tanks and units designed for natural light and airflow.
“This isn’t just about sustainable housing – it’s about providing people in the Prahran and Elsternwick communities with the financial security they need tothrive.”
— Member for Southern Metro Nina Taylor MP
“Affordable housing has never been more important than it is right now, and I’m proud to be part of a government that invests in the livelihood of Victorians.”
— Minister for Consumer Affairs Victoria Melissa Horne MP
“This will support more Victorians to get the benefits of solar. It will save people money on their bills, while also making sure that these households get to part of the rooftop renewables revolution.”