As the housing crisis hits our community hard the appeal of the Tiny Home on Wheels (THOW) has risen.
The My Home Network Tiny Homes On Wheels working group have developed a confidential survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/THOWSurvey to better understand:
- the number of THOWs currently being lived in or being built in our Shire
- the level of interest in THOW as an affordable housing option
- the benefits of a THOW and
- any barriers to living in a THOW and what supports people think they might need to make the transition, and sustain, a THOW arrangement.
This anonymous information will be used in advocacy locally, state wide and nationally to improve appropriate uptake of THOW as affordable housing in our Shire and elsewhere.
Nearly two years ago the Mount Alexander Shire Council amended the Local Law No 13 allowing a THOW to be placed and remain on land with an existing permanent dwelling, without a permit, for “an indefinite period of time” as long as it complies with Local Law 13 conditions. For further details of these conditions see:
The My Home Network THOW Working Group appreciates Council’s leadership in changing the local law. They feel this has had a positive impact on increasing housing diversity and the Working Group continues to work towards improving the appropriate uptake of THOW in our Shire on Djaara Country.The THOW Working Group:
- Shares information and supports people interested in THOW, including with sharing THOW owner/occupier expertise
- Supports matching those who own or occupy a THOW with those who have a suitable location for the THOW
- Advocates with others such as the Australian Tiny House Association (ATHA) for clear, consistent and practical THOW regulations and policy frameworks at the state and national levels.
- Is exploring THOW as a “Caretaker” model and the possibility of THOW small clusters on vacant land.
Western Australia is leading the way in addressing THOW uptake as a viable option to address the housing affordability crisis. This could provide a model for other states to follow.
As one elder in our community explains:
“I am 68 years old on a zero hours contract and a month-to-month rental lease paying $400 a week which is incredibly stressful. I am not eligible for social housing and want to get out of renting. I have worked all my life, paid my bills and just want somewhere I can afford, feel at home, have more time with family and feel the magic inside of me. I can’t afford a secondary dwelling but I can afford a THOW I am hoping to buy one and I can put it in my daughters back yard so I can be near family and be in my community.”
THOW working group member Tom Danby also adds “We know that THOW are not for everyone but for some community members it is their only affordable housing option and it provides infill housing and builds community.”
Please complete the survey to help us in our endeavours and if anyone is interested in learning more about the work of the THOW working group or My Home Network please contact cneilson@castlemainehealth.org.au
My Home Network is auspiced by Dhelkaya Health and made up of passionate community members, locals with lived experience of the housing crisis, and representatives from local housing initiatives, community, and government organisations.
