New research released by AHURI has examined the incidence of energy hardship for Australian low income renters, and considered strategies and policy actions to reduce its impact on the lives of such households.

Warm, cool and energy-affordable housing policy solutions for low-income renters found that up to 40% of Australian households who rent their housing experience energy hardship.

The report notes that single set of policies or governmental actions will be able to meet the challenge of improving energy efficiency in the rental housing stock. Instead, it suggests that a portfolio of measures is needed— including, for instance, mandatory building standards, targeted financial or material assistance for very vulnerable households, and investment in the public housing sector.

Setting minimum standards for the energy performance of rental properties was highlighted as a critical starting point in the process of reform.

The study was conducted by researchers from the University of Adelaide, RMIT and University of South Australia.

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