Climate Safe Homes
Climate Safe Homes is a home energy upgrade program, which enables people with chronic health conditions or a disability, to live in homes that are warm in winter and cool in summer. If you are interested in finding out more please phone (03) 9112 5398 or email climatesafehomes@bsl.org.au
What is the Climate Safe Homes program?
The Climate Safe Homes program provides Victorian households living with chronic health challenges and low incomes the opportunity to receive subsidised home energy efficiency upgrades. Climate Safe Homes can assist you by providing:
- A targeted energy assessment to find the right opportunities for energy efficiency upgrades to assist you in maintaining comfortable and safe temperatures in your home
- A subsidy for an energy efficiency upgrade for your home, installed by licensed and qualified tradespeople
- Additional advice from our energy advisors on how you could further improve your comfort at home through energy efficiency
- Assistance with the Solar Homes rebate application where rooftop solar is pursued
What energy efficiency upgrades are available?
Who can participate?
To participate in the program, you will have to
- live in Greater Melbourne
- be a home owner, and
- fulfil both of the below eligibility criteria:
* We may be able to assist some private renters where the landlord is supportive, and open to making a co-contribution.
Have one or more eligible medical conditions:
- Severe persistent asthma
- Severe respiratory disease
- Cardio-vascular disease
- Parkinson
- Multiple Sclerosis
- COPD
- Motor Neurone Disease
- Scleroderma
- Lupus
- Severe musculoskeletal condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis
- Cerebral palsy
- Polio/ post-polio
- Quadriplegia
- Lymphodoema
- Fibromyalgia
- Other medical condition, if sufficiently justified by a medical professional
Have an eligible concession card:
- Low-income concession card
- Pensioner concession card
- Veteran Gold Card
What should you expect from Climate Safe Homes?
- We will confirm your eligibility and need: Your medical practitioner or one of our team members will ask you about your health, energy use and key features of your home.
- We will provide detail about the program, both in writing and on the phone, so you understand all the steps. You can ask any questions.
- We will make recommendations on upgrades for your home.
- Where you decide to pursue rooftop solar, you will need to apply for the Victorian Government rebates. We can provide assistance with these applications.
- Households with capacity to make a co-contribution toward the cost of the upgrade can do so.
- We will connect you with our pre-approved heating and cooling or solar suppliers service providers, who will visit your home at an agreed date and time. You will be provided with all necessary product information and warranties.
- · After you receive your upgrade, we will get in touch for a short survey of your experience with the program.
- You can decide to withdraw your participation in the program at any point before the upgrades are installed.
How to register for Climate Safe Homes
- Phone: (03) 9112 5398
- Email: climatesafehomes@bsl.org.au
If you have any questions please check our 2024 Climate Safe Homes Participant FAQs or get in touch with our team.
Contact details
The program has been developed in partnership with the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation. Its innovative, high-impact and client-focused model has been developed through intensive consultation with stakeholders in the energy, health and social service sectors as well as government and academia.