Yvonne Wilson is hoping to turn a little idea into a big solution.
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The Riverina accomodation worker has been exploring different avenues of providing temporary housing for the homeless and less fortunate around Griffith and the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area.
Now, she believes she has found a solution that could spread across the region.
“We would like to build a series of tiny houses that will provide temporary accommodation for those in need,” she said.
“We’ve talked among ourselves as a community here in Griffith and we know there are various other project around the state … but we see this as an ideal solution for the affordabilty crisis that currently exists.”
Tiny houses, or tiny homes, are exactly that - miniature residences that sleep up to four people in a restricted space.
Designs can vary from lofted to one-level homes and often include bathroom, kitchen and living facilities all within a confined space.
Mrs Wilson is adamant they would be preferable to current living measures in the region.
“People are being priced out of rental properties,” she said.
We’re trying to think outside the square and overcome temporary accommodation issues by putting tiny homes on a big block.
- Yvonne Wilson
“Our aim for this project is just to offer some sort of refuge who people who find themselves in a crisis, such as the homeless or youths and women escaping domestic violence.”
Argyle Housing CEO Wendy Middleton welcomed the suggestion but warned tiny houses were “not really suitable for families”.
“I think new approaches to housing are welcome, particularly in regional areas where affordability is increasingly becoming an issue,” she said.
“Tiny housing is an option for temporary or transitional and I have seen it work well in metropolitan areas where there is good support given to the people requiring it and suits particular groups of individuals.”
Ms Middleton said the Wagga region was currently experiencing affordability issues with housing but suggested secondary dwellings – smaller homes built within existing premises – as another solution.
“Secondary dwellings are also an appropriate way of addressing the needs of people at risk of or are homeless,” she said.