A better standard for homes for greater social impact

SGCH is one of the largest community housing providers in Australia, housing more than 11,000 people in 6,500 homes across Sydney. SGCH has a varied portfolio of owned, leased and managed stock and is delivering a development pipeline of over 1,000 new homes.

Our social and affordable housing tenants are amongst the most vulnerable Australians, impacted by rising energy costs and bill shock. We actively partner to address energy efficiency for these low-moderate income households we serve. Our strategy invests in long-term sustainability measures that deliver social, economic and environmental benefits. 

This commitment led us to support Green Building Council of Australia’s Future Homes project. Our support for the new Green Star for Homes standard to ensure new homes are built to a higher standard which is focused on health, resilience and net zero energy is strongly aligned to our commitment to provide safe, sustainable homes and improve communities.

As a not-for-profit organisation we work with government, private and third sector partners to deliver social impact. SGCH is entrusted with public resources and we understand our responsibility to sustainably steward these resources for community benefit. Underpinned by ESG principles, SGCH has worked to leverage its assets to secure $415 million in debt finance which is working to increase the supply of social and affordable housing.

$170 million of this finance is with Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC). Since 2015, SGCH have worked with CEFC to incorporate sustainability measures in our new developments, and retrofit older, existing properties to deliver ongoing benefits. To date, 217 new homes have been built, 306 are under construction and 1,230 homes have been retrofitted. SGCH develops, retains and maintains its properties, therefore improved sustainability measures such as solar panels that power common areas also reduce operating costs over time, savings we reinvest for purpose.

Improving energy efficiency and thermal comfort improves the housing experience for our customers and provides benefits to all our community through a reduced carbon footprint. The difference these homes make to our customers lives is significant.