Planning rules block tiny homes for homeless in wealthy NSW town
Lydia's Legacy wants to build moveable tiny homes on private land for homeless people but local planning rules block it.
A NSW Southern Highlands charity called Lydia's Legacy has a plan to house homeless people in tiny homes on private rural land, with willing landowners. Lynda Porter offered part of her Moss Vale property to start a pilot project.
Lydia's Legacy says local and state planning rules have stopped them from launching. Wingecarribee Shire Council does not recognise tiny homes on wheels because they meet different building standards.
State rules allow tiny homes but only for people in the main household or fleeing natural disaster. Lydia's Legacy argues homelessness is a disaster too.
Each tiny home costs up to $150,000 and takes eight weeks to build. Tenants would stay up to five years and homeowners could buy the home after a decade.
Despite the Southern Highlands being one of NSW's wealthiest areas, about 72 people sleep rough there each night.
- 72 people each night
- Rough sleepers
- Up to 150,000 dollars
- Cost per home
- 8 weeks
- Build time
- Up to 5 years
- Intended occupancy
Why it mattersPlanning rules are holding back a potential housing solution for homelessness in a region where the need remains largely unseen.
AustraliaIf planning rules change, this model could be used across Australia to quickly house homeless people using private land.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 1 h ago
