Environmental Sustainability and Social Justice
The two critical problems of our age are the challenge of climate change and the widening gap between rich and poor.
By 2030, almost 60 per cent of the world’s population will live in urban areas.
Many challenges exist to maintain cities in a way that, continues to create housing and prosperity, while not straining land and resources.
Our Role
In 2015, Home in Place embarked on an international strategy that has seen us achieve considerable impact in the global movement towards social, environmental and economic sustainability.
From our achievement of ECOSOC recognition in 2016 to our support for the UN Habitat General Assembly of Partners, Home in Place has contributed at a high level to the global efforts to achieve the New Urban Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Home in Place has provided leadership and engagement with a range of global agencies including UN Habitat, ECOSOC, World Urban Campaign and the UN Global Compact.
Our international objectives have taken the form of two complementary workstreams – International Advocacy and International Development.
Journey to Net Zero
Home in Place has committed to achieving Net Zero by 2030. Our 2030 roadmap includes transitioning to electric vehicles, reducing waste through reducing purchases of single-use items, recycling wherever possible, participating in the circular economy.
Home in Place remains committed to social, economic and environmental sustainability.
As demonstrated in our 2030 Strategic Plan, we have adopted the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as our framework for establishing targets, achieving outcomes and ensuring we contribute to global goals as an organisation.
Sustainability in Practice
The broader sustainability agenda is integral to Home in Place’s professional activities, the management of our housing, the management of the organisation and sustainable communities. We empower our workers, and our tenants, to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals locally, while advocating for their implementation at a national, and international, level.
We aim to follow and to promote good sustainability practice to reduce the environmental impacts of all our activities and to help our clients, stakeholders, partners and the wider community to do the same.
Sustainability Advantage Membership
Sustainability Advantage is a business support program delivered by the NSW Government to help organisations improve environmental performance, reduce costs and strengthen long term sustainability practices.
Home in Place is a member of the Sustainability Advantage program and uses the framework to guide continuous improvement across environmental, social and economic sustainability. The program supports our work to engage staff and tenants in practical sustainability initiatives, set and monitor carbon reduction targets, and align our operations with recognised sustainability principles, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Participation in Sustainability Advantage reflects Home in Place’s ongoing commitment to responsible asset management, efficient operations and positive outcomes for tenants, communities and the environment.
C3 Solar Project
Home in Place continues to look at new ways to reduce our carbon footprint, and to assist our tenants in achieving their own carbon reduction and environmental goals.
The C3 Solar Project supports our commitment to the UN Sustainability Development Goals (the SDGs) and our commitment to empowering tenants.
The C3 Solar Project has seen Home in Place install solar panels and inverters to over 40 properties. Tenants sign up with the participating electricity retailer and receive
access to a discounted rate for solar power.
The retailer passes on some of the feed in tariff to Home in Place to pay back the initial cost of the installation, plus maintenance / replacement costs over time. The C3 project aims to develop a model that can be replicated and extended for Home in Place and other housing providers so more tenants can access savings and reduce their impact on the planet.
Our initial assessment has demonstrated the success of the project and informs the next round of solar programs to ensure best outcomes for tenants and the environment.
Envirobuild – Home in Place’s Environmental Conscious Build Form
Located in Canton Beach on the NSW Central Coast, Home in Place’s environmentally sustainable development, the Envirobuild Project, was official opened by the The Hon. Robyn Parker MP, Minister for the Environment and Minister for Heritage.
The aim of the project was to construct an affordable residential dwelling, utilising sustainable and environmentally friendly products, which are readily available in the marketplace. Original concept designs for Envirobuild were supplied by Newcastle University School of Architecture 4th year students via a scholarship prize funded by Home in Place. Amendments and improvements to the concept designs have evolved from 2009 to 2013, with great assistance of Jeff Bottrill from Bodesign. The DA approved plans were put to out tender and awarded in May 2013.
Product inclusions of the build included LED lighting, Coolmax Colorbond roofing, steel framing, natural wool insulation, low VOC paints, and PV. The project also utilised cross ventilation principles, removing the need to install air conditioning for cooling in warmer months.
The Envirobuild properties were constructed as part of our acquisitions program through leverage of the properties Home in Place received title to under the Commonwealth Nation Building Economic Stimulus Program.
