Evolve Housing is partnering with the NSW and Commonwealth Governments to deliver cleaner, more energy-efficient homes under the Social Housing Energy Performance Initiative (SHEPI) and Community Housing Energy Performance (CHEP) grant programs.
Together, these landmark initiatives are investing $175 million to upgrade around 24,000 social housing properties across NSW by 2027, improving liveability, lowering energy costs, and supporting the transition to net zero. Led by the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, in collaboration with Homes NSW, the Aboriginal Housing Office and Community Housing Providers, the program targets older, less efficient homes built before the introduction of BASIX in 2004.
Through this framework, Evolve Housing has secured CHEP funding, with a 25% co-contribution, to upgrade 255 homes across its portfolio. Installations are now underway at homes in Western Sydney and will continue into 2026.
The upgrade program includes:
- Shared solar systems across 13 unit blocks (152 dwellings), generating renewable energy for residents;Â
- 432 ceiling fans in 103 dwellings, improving air circulation and reducing the need for air conditioning.
Evolve Housing is delivering the project in collaboration with Homes NSW, and clean-energy technology partners Energus and Allume Energy, whose expertise in solar-sharing technology ensures residents in multi-residential buildings also share the benefits of renewable energy.
For residents, the upgrades will mean cooler homes in summer, lower bills year-round and a greater sense of comfort and wellbeing – practical, everyday benefits that make a real difference.
The partnership between government, the community housing sector and industry demonstrates how coordinated investment and innovation can deliver outcomes that are both socially equitable and environmentally responsible. By combining government funding with Evolve Housing’s experience in sustainable delivery and the technical innovation of delivery partners, this project is setting a new benchmark for how clean-energy solutions can be scaled across social and community housing.
Since launching its Evolving Green Program in 2017, Evolve Housing has upgraded nearly 250 homes with solar and heat-pump systems, generating more than 1.2 million kWh of renewable energy and saving residents hundreds of thousands of dollars in energy costs.
This next phase builds on that legacy by continuing Evolve Housing’s commitment to create homes that are efficient, equitable and environmentally responsible, one home at a time.
