Tiny home juggernaut gets long-awaited liftoff with government help
LONDON: The global tiny homes revolution is likely to take off amid new support from the Government and one of the region’s biggest builders.
Housing Minister John Carey has announced a $1.04 million pilot project installing four tiny homes for seniors’ social housing in Spearwood, with a further four due in Northam.
It could open the door to the global juggernaut — which arose as a backlash against McMansions and as an antidote to the housing affordability crisis — but has largely bypassed Perth.
The State Government’s new support for the small abodes will help boost the sector, along with its recent changes making it easier to build granny flats.
But one of the biggest triggers for liftoff is the emergence of Summit Homes as the first major builder to enter the previously niche sector.
The Summit Homes Group, which has the State Government contract, revealed in recent months it had added a tiny homes arm to its 45-year-old construction business.
Mr Carey said the small properties could eventually play a bigger role in social housing.
“I want to be clear — these new tiny homes for social housing are not a novelty,” he said. “Tiny homes are not for everyone, but I believe there is an opportunity for more of these homes to be delivered for social housing at the right sites and locations and for the right tenants.”
Mr Carey believes the 43 sqm one-bedroom homes were likely to have broad appeal, particularly among young people.
“I think Western Australia will embrace this,” he said. “It’s an affordable, high-quality home . . . delivered faster.
“I appreciate many people want the double-brick, four-by-two but many younger people are looking past that now. They want to be closer to the city, and this type of product can answer that.”
While the stereotype for small abodes was a “shoddy and flimsy” home, Mr Carey said these Summit ones were resilient and energy efficient.
David Simpson, Managing Director at Summit Homes, said the cost per square metre was comparable to a standard brick home, costing $180,000 for a one-bedroom home or $299,000 for a three-bedroom loft, with a further $60,000 for assembly.
But there was only a three-month period between ordering the product and living in it, which made it highly responsive to changes in a family’s situation.
The Property Council’s Emily Young said she had hoped for a bigger pilot project but praised tiny homes as a way to address the housing crunch.
