Millicent Spencer
Advocates are calling for minimal rental standards for public housing residents when it comes to keeping homes cool as Melbourne swelters through a summer heatwave.
Tenancy advocacy group Better Renting executive director Joel Dignam said preliminary data from public housing residents in Victoria shows the maximum temperature recorded this summer was 33.85 degrees compared to 31.86 degrees in other rentals.
“On average public housing tenants are above 25 degrees 24 per cent of the time [compared to] 18.9 per cent for private renters … that’s about an extra hour a day above 25 degrees,” he said.
Banksia Gardens resident Rick Kapaufs said while he is grateful the government has given him a home for his family, the recent heatwave was “unbearable”.
“There’s people suffering here – children are suffering here, my children are suffering – they can’t even sleep in their rooms,” he said.
“The sunrises from behind me, and sets in front of me – basically the sun is on the place from morning to dusk but if we have proper insulation and aircon we would probably live a bit more happily.”
Mr Kapaufs said during the recent heatwave, the second story of his flat, where his two kids usually sleep, was unliveable.
“As soon as you walk up the stairs you’re walking into the heat…you wouldn’t send your worst enemy upstairs,” he said.
“I spent half an hour hosing down the brick wall of my son’s bedroom.
“The bricks [stayed] hot for three days so we had to stay downstairs.”
Mr Dignam said with climbing temperatures, the heat experienced by public housing residents is of concern.
“[In public housing] you have people who for one have lower incomes so their ability to pay their energy costs is lower.
“Also people are more likely to have health needs and this can be affected by the heat.”
Rental and Housing Union caseworker Alex Grunewald said retrofitting air conditioners in existing public housing is a “stop gap measure”.
“The government should be looking to retrofit insulation where possible,” he said.
“Public housing residents don’t have the money to pay for insulation [and] the current solution the government is offering is to install energy efficient air conditioning.”
Mr Dignam said that’s why his team is pushing every state and territory to introduce minimum standards for rentals.
“Victoria already has requirements for energy efficient heaters in the main living area but they don’t have requirements for insulation or any sort of cooling,” he said.
A Homes Victoria Spokesperson said $112 million has been invested into upgrading conditioners and ceiling insulation through the Energy Efficiency in Social Housing Program.
“So far, 18 properties in Banksia Gardens have had their gas heating appliances replaced with modern split system air conditioners,” the spokesperson said.
“61 homes in Banksia Gardens are currently being assessed for energy efficiency upgrades eligibility.
“Public housing renters with a medical need can apply for an air conditioner to be installed in their home and are encouraged to contact their local housing office if they require support completing an application.”
