Advocacy groups, led by Healthy Homes for Renters and the Anti-Poverty Network SA, are urging federal funding and state enforcement of minimum energy performance standards in rental housing to improve insulation and cooling, citing studies that homes can be hotter indoors than outdoors and may fall below WHO safety guidelines.

A severe heatwave is gripping South Australia and other states, with Adelaide recording its hottest 26 January on record (overnight 31C) and forecasts reaching around 43C, while Victoria and New South Wales issue extreme heat warnings.

Greens MLC Rob Simms introduced the Residential Tenancies (Minimum Standards) Amendment Bill 2024 to extend protections to social and public housing, aiming to raise living standards; the bill was rejected but could be reintroduced after the March election.

Melissa Fisher, a public housing resident in Elizabeth Vale, describes extreme indoor heat, aided by a small aging window air conditioner cooling only one room, forcing her to stay in her bedroom and affecting health and daily life.

The SA government defends its record, pointing to major rental-law reforms, investments in public housing stock, and energy-efficiency improvements—including about $35.8 million for more than 3,000 homes—with some new builds achieving 7-star energy ratings and expanded cooling options.

Fisher calls for universal minimum standards for heating and cooling and supports solar panels, highlighting that some households cannot afford air conditioning and that better insulation would reduce heat impact.