<
https://theconversation.com/tiny-houses-and-alternative-homes-are-gaining-councils-approval-as-they-wrestle-with-the-housing-crisis-199667>
"Australia’s coastal cities and surrounding hinterlands have long been popular
with tourists, sea-changers and retirees. But they have a darker side. In the
early morning you will often find car parks crowded with cars, vans, caravans
and even tents, where refugees from the housing crisis have spent the night.
People of all ages, including families with children, are cooking breakfast,
using the cold-water showers and packing up for another day, always trying to
keep one step ahead of council officers or police. These unhoused people don’t
conform to homeless stereotypes. Many have jobs and children in school and no
serious mental or physical health problems. They simply cannot find an
affordable home to rent, or have lost or are unable to buy a home of their own.
Soaring rates of housing stress are forcing Australians to explore new options,
including living smaller and in tiny houses. At Griffith University’s Cities
Research Institute, we are surveying local government planners on whether they
allow, encourage or limit tiny, temporary or alternative houses in their area.
In early findings (from a response rate of over 50% to date), nearly all
respondents agree affordability is a problem for both home buyers and renters.
While not representing formal council views, their responses indicate most
councils now approve modular, manufactured and shipping container houses,
despite a public perception they oppose such dwellings. Some have codes
specifically for tiny houses on wheels.
As one planner explained:
We will have to think differently about how we live, given housing
affordability, inflation, susceptibility to emergency events and the like,
and perhaps be more lenient on allowing these types of dwellings – whether
on a permanent or temporary basis."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
