Sustainability
At Enliven Housing, we believe sustainability is about creating long-term value for people and communities. Our objective is to build a portfolio of high-quality, sustainable housing for people with disability that is well-integrated into Australian communities.
We focus on building energy-efficient, low-emission homes that can deliver positive outcomes for both tenants and the environment.
The Enliven Housing Difference
Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmarking (GRESB)
Outperform Required NatHERS Star Rating
Installation of Solar Panels
Commitment to Electrification
Continued Efforts to Reduce Embodied Carbon
Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmarking (GRESB)
Outperfrom Required NatHERS Star Rating
Installation of Solar Panels
Commitment to Electrification
Continued Efforts to Reduce Embodied Carbon
Climate and Environment
Sustainable Building and Living
Adequate housing is viewed as one of the most basic human needs for people to live with dignity¹. This is even more pronounced for a substantial number of people with disability who have limited access to appropriate housing and living arrangements², highlighting the importance of the work we do.
From design through to construction, sustainability is a key consideration in all our projects. We incorporate smart technologies, including energy monitoring systems, to support residents in tracking and managing their energy consumption. This allows tenants to have meaningful information to inform their decisions around their energy plans and usage. We align our building designs with sustainability guidelines that we created in partnership with the Clean Energy Finance Corporation in [2021]³ to foster healthier living environments for our tenants, for instance across all freestanding dwellings we seek to provide tenants with green spaces for personal space and relaxation.
At Enliven, we understand that our actions today influence the climate of tomorrow. We are committed to the ongoing creation of spaces that encourage communities to live more sustainably and in harmony with their environment.
Ensuring that newly constructed dwellings incorporate sustainability features is key to our ESG approach. A summary of key aspects of our ESG strategy for new development projects is outlined below.
- Energy Consumption
We seek to incorporate electricity consumption monitoring devices and energy-efficient appliances in all newly constructed dwellings to help monitor and maximise energy efficiency. This includes ensuring that installed appliances such as air conditioners, which typically comprise a large portion of household electricity consumption, exhibit high energy efficiency ratings.
- Green building certifications
We seek to ensure that all newly constructed dwellings meet or exceed a Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) star rating of 7.0 stars. This involves designing dwellings to minimise the energy required for space heating or cooling by considering factors such as aspect, layout, shading and insulation.
- Greenhouse gas emissions
All newly constructed dwellings are fully electrified, meaning that they don’t utilise piped natural gas for cooktop burners or space heating, thereby reducing associated onsite greenhouse gas emissions.
- Health and wellbeing
All new dwellings are designed with the aim of ensuring the health, safety, and wellbeing of tenants. This may include design considerations such as ensuring floorplan layouts optimise physical accessibility or choosing construction materials that maximise acoustic and thermal comfort.
- Location and transportation
We aim to select new sites in locations where tenants can enjoy areas with high walkability scores and convenient access to public transportation such as bus stops or train stations.
- Renewable energy
We aim to install rooftop solar systems at all newly constructed single-storey detached dwellings (e.g. houses) where commercially feasible to help minimise grid electricity consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions.
Climate Action
As part of our commitment to sustainability, Enliven is dedicated to aligning our portfolio with global net-zero targets for scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2040. We are also working to reduce material scope 3 emissions, where we have significant control or influence. We are finalising our net-zero plan. We are excited to take on this challenge and continue to drive progress toward our sustainability goals.
On the pathway to net zero, we offset any remaining Scope 1 and 2 emissions and Scope 3 business travel and tenancy emissions by acquiring high-quality, verified Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs).
1. Australian Humans Rights Commission, ‘Housing, homelessness and human rights’. Available here
2. Monash University and the Australian Human Rights Commission, Adaptable housing for people with disability in Australia: a scoping study (2021), April 2021. Available here
3. More information about the CEFC is available here: https://www.cefc.com.au/
Our Progress
Enliven is committed to operating sustainably and continuously improving our environmental, social, and governance (ESG) approach. Some of our short-term ESG targets that we aim to achieve during the next two years are summarised below:
- Environment: Increase renewable energy consumption across portfolio dwellings to at least 10% from an FY22 baseline of <5%.
- Environment: Maintain net zero greenhouse gas emissions since inception in respect of our corporate scope 1 and 2 emissions and corporate scope 3 business travel emissions, surrendering equivalent carbon offset credits where it is not commercially feasible to otherwise avoid these emissions.
- Environment: Aim for newly constructed dwellings to meet or exceed a Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) energy efficiency star rating of 7.0 stars.
- Governance: Increase dwelling electricity consumption monitoring/reporting data coverage to over 75% from an FY22 baseline of <5%.
- Human capital: Facilitate and refine annual ESG training for over 80% of new and existing employees from an FY22 baseline of <5%.
- Health and wellbeing: Improve coverage of annual tenant satisfaction, health and wellbeing surveys to over 75% from an FY22 baseline of <5%.
We aim to review our objectives at least annually to ensure that they remain relevant and ambitious.
Summary of our recent ESG actions and performances
2022
We increased the number of electricity consumption monitoring devices installed across over 250 dwellings (2025) from our baseline of less than 10 dwellings.
2024
We established the Choice Collective to enhance stakeholder and community engagement
2024
We expanded our staff training and engagement program to include staff training on ESG topics.
Our ESG actions and performance are externally verified by independent third parties using appropriate standardised verification schemes where applicable. For example, the international standard ISO 14064-3:2019 applies to verified dwelling electricity consumption monitoring data.
A deep dive into portfolio achievements and initiatives across Property, Tenancy and Sustainability
How does Enliven make a contribution?
- By growing its SDA portfolio and ensuring that homes are in well-located areas that enhance tenant access to local infrastructure and communities
Aligned SDGs
9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure and to support economic development
11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services
How does Enliven make a contribution?
- By providing secure homes for people with disability across a range of SDA categories that enhance overall outcomes and ensure that dwelling design is specifically customised to tenants’s requirements
- Creating opportunities for tenant retention
Aligned SDGs
10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status
11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services
Indirect SDGs
Enliven seeks to align with SDG 3: Good Health and Wellbeing. This is based on conviction around the health benefits of providing quality, well-located SDA to people with disability. Enliven has committed to supporting the development of an evidence base through a longitudinal study led by La Trobe University and the University of Queensland1
1. Please refer to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and Targets addressed
How does Enliven make a contribution?
- By ensuring Enliven Scope 1 and 2 emissions are neutralised through the acquisition of Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs)
- Through developing strategies to minimise our Scope 3 emissions and support the reduction of Scope 1 and 2 emissions of our tenants across the Enliven portfolio
Aligned SDGs
7.1: By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, modern energy services
13.3: Improve education, awareness raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation adaptation, impact reduction and early warning
Property Outcomes
How does Enliven make a contribution?
- By growing its SDA portfolio and ensuring that homes are in well-located areas that enhance tenant access to local infrastructure and communities
Aligned SDGs
9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure and to support economic development
11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services
Tenancy outcomes
How does Enliven make a contribution?
- By providing secure homes for people with disability across a range of SDA categories that enhance overall outcomes and ensure that dwelling design is specifically customised to tenants’s requirements
- Creating opportunities for tenant retention
Aligned SDGs
10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status
11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services
Indirect SDGs
Enliven seeks to align with SDG 3: Good Health and Wellbeing. This is based on conviction around the health benefits of providing quality, well-located SDA to people with disability. Enliven has committed to supporting the development of an evidence base through a longitudinal study led by La Trobe University and the University of Queensland1
1. Please refer to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and Targets addressed
Sustainability outcomes
How does Enliven make a contribution?
- By ensuring Enliven Scope 1 and 2 emissions are neutralised through the acquisition of Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs)
- Through developing strategies to minimise our Scope 3 emissions and support the reduction of Scope 1 and 2 emissions of our tenants across the Enliven portfolio
Aligned SDGs
7.1: By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, modern energy services
13.3: Improve education, awareness raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation adaptation, impact reduction and early warning
Case Studies
Measuring Energy Usage
Clipsal Cortex Meters are an example of the energy monitoring devices currently installed across all of Enliven’s dwellings to assist with tracking customer electricity usage and provides valuable insights into energy consumption. More on this case study here
Modular Housing
The use of modular homes built offsite and transported to the site showed innovative ways how to reach remote areas whilst lowering the emissions on site with the reduction of waste and speeding up the construction timeframe. Read more about this case study here
Safety and Wellbeing
Tracking safety and wellbeing at Enliven Housing
Client Service Visits
Wellbeing and satisfaction are measured through bi-annual or annual surveys conducted by our SDA partners. These surveys assess home design, safety, community engagement, and overall satisfaction, helping us continuously improve tenant experiences.
Safety Features
Homes include personal emergency plans, fire sprinklers, and secure lighting to ensure tenant safety.
Accountability and transparency Software
A pilot Elker "speak up" software that allows tenants and their support network to anonymously report safety concerns, ensuring issues are quickly addressed.
Supportive Living Environments
Our homes are designed to promote independence and wellbeing through access to green spaces and integration with local communities.
Safeguarding tenants through "speak up" software
Elker is a safeguarding and “speak up” software designed to keep residents safe by ensuring that issues have early visibility and can be resolved as soon as possible. Anonymous reporting encourages people to raise concerns, complaints and ideas without revealing their identity. Through this, we seek to ensure tenant’s right to live with choice and control in a safe environment. More on this case study here
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