Vulnerable Household Energy Support Scheme – Ceiling Insulation and Electrification Panel

In 2023 the ACT Government introduced a new regulation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 which requires all residential rental properties in the ACT to meet a new minimum energy efficiency standard for ceiling insulation.The new minimum energy efficiency standard requires rental homes in the ACT with no insulation or existing ceiling insulation below an R-value of R2, to install or upgrade the ceiling insulation to a minimum R-value of R5. The Regulation came into effect from 1 April 2023, with a phased period extending to 30 November 2026.As a property owner and manager of Government public housing properties, the Health and Community Services Directorate (HCSD) is required to ensure all public housing properties meet the standard under the Regulation.The Vulnerable Housing Energy Support Scheme (VHESS) provides support for public housing, community housing providers, eligible private rental providers and low-income homeowners by installing energy efficient insulation and replacing gas appliances with electrical alternatives. Significant progress towards upgrading insulation levels in public housing under VHESS has been achieved following an initial allocation of over $27 million.Following the successful implementation of the Scheme, the Government has allocated a further $19.6 million to upgrade gas appliances to appropriate electric alternatives for up to 1,600 public housing properties. Work assigned to panel members in 2026 will consist of both insulation and electrification works and panel members will be required to undertake both.