Tiny homes for 'leafy' region's rough sleepers held up by planning rules

A charity in New South Wales' Southern Highlands region is seeking to address homelessness by constructing tiny homes on privately-owned rural land. The nonprofit organization Lydia's Legacy has secured the support of a willing landowner and two community services but is facing obstacles due to planning regulations. The NSW government has expressed interest in offering more flexible accommodation options for people experiencing homelessness through secondary dwellings.

One local retiree, Lynda Porter, has agreed to host a tiny home on her property, drawn to its secluded location. However, her plans have been impeded by local and state government planning hurdles. Wingecarribee Council has concerns about classifying tiny homes on wheels, while the state government permits tiny homes but restricts occupancy to family members or disaster evacuees.

The NSW Department of Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure acknowledges the potential benefits of secondary dwellings in addressing housing stress and homelessness. Despite the area's affluent reputation, the Southern Highlands host around 72 homeless individuals each night, including those living in cars or the wilderness. Charity St Vincent de Paul notes that no property in the region is affordable for someone on Centrelink benefits.

Advocacy groups like Argyle Housing hope that initiatives like Lydia's Legacy can alleviate pressure on the region's social housing provider, which faces an extended waitlist for priority housing.