Tiny homes solution to help get rough sleepers off the streets

Is this part of the solution to Melbourne’s homeless crisis? A new project in Maidstone and Footscray will offer people the chance to live in a 20 sqm tiny home as they rebuild their lives. Take a look inside.

The first six tiny houses, providing homes for homeless people in Melbourne's inner-west. Picture: Launch Housing

If you’ve been homeless since age 13, a safe, tiny house is something akin to a mansion.

For Deborah and her dog Zeus, their new dwelling — at just 20 sqm — plus a deck and a garden offers shelter and security she could scarcely dream of.

Their new home is the first of six tiny houses being unveiled in Melbourne’s inner-west today to offer permanent accommodation for homeless people.

Another 51 homes are planned in the project for Maidstone and Footscray by Launch Housing and backed by Harris Capital.

To mark Homelessness Week, Launch Housing is also urging governments to release unused land for housing projects.

Deborah has become one of the first residents of the Tiny Houses project. Picture: Wayne Taylor

With whitegoods and utilities connections, each unit costs about $130,000. Picture: Wayne Taylor

The first six tiny houses, providing homes for homeless people in Melbourne's inner-west. Picture: Launch Housing.

The launch comes after the Herald Sun revealed that the heritage-listed grandstand of Fitzroy Football Club was being used as a tent city for an increasing number of Melbourne’s homeless.

Launch Housing chief executive Bevan Warner said almost 25,000 people were without a home in Victoria.

“And around 1100 of them are sleeping rough,” Mr Warner said.

The new tiny homes project has been built on VicRoads land but much more space was available, he said.

“There’s 195 hectares of government land lying empty across the greater Melbourne area.

“So particularly for people who have a history of rough sleeping, we as a community can deliver rapid inexpensive solutions like we have for Deborah.

“It’s not for everyone. But it’s designed for single people who want a secure place for themselves and their pet.

The homes have a small deck out the front. Picture: Wayne Taylor

“They can focus on things like rebuilding relationships and employment, instead of wondering were they are going to sleep and find shelter for the night.’’

The prefabricated homes were built in a Horsham factory, transported in and then dropped on to the land by crane.

With whitegoods and utilities connections, each unit costs about $130,000.

“Tiny homes are part of the solution to homelessness,’’ Mr Warner said.

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For Deborah, the word “solution” is an understatement.

“I just feel like someone took me from basically hell and put me on this cloud of puffy niceness,’’ she said.

“I get to stay here for as long as I need to.

“Being here I have some pride now. It’s phenomenal. It’s a really big gift and because it’s a gift, I’ll try to look after it.’’

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@IanRoyall