Tiny Houses are now undeniably a viable solution as a housing option and they’re here to stay. People are demanding them and companies are supplying them, but councils, who are responsible for planning legislation, are often not quite there yet.
The Australian Tiny House Association (ATHA) says many councils are stretched to their limits with Covid issues, budget constraints and a lack of resources and quality research to deal with this new housing model. This all creates an environment of confusion and hesitation to take action.
But they have a solution: “After many hundreds of hours, we have assembled a policy template as a guide for government agencies, which develops a framework and a consistent approach to the assessment of tiny houses under a planning system,” says ATHA president, Kim Connolly. “The outcome would be to lessen the confusion, and create intentional, actionable steps for councils so the community has confidence that they are actively providing a solution.”
ATHA members, who are structural engineers, town planners, tiny house builders and dwellers, have worked together to create the Tiny House Policy Template for all of Australia. It is designed to be used by local government planning and building officers to support the legal approval of tiny houses in their local area. There is a keen focus on safety and compliance.
“Now, more than ever, tiny houses provide a home for young couples entering the housing market; people downsizing; older, single women with superannuation funds too small to buy an average sized house; grown up children moving home because of Covid 19 issues; transient professionals such as travelling nurses or teachers; emergency accommodation due to fires or domestic violence; people looking for a sustainable, low-impact lifestyle and anyone needing secure, affordable housing,” Kim says.
“Because of Coronavirus, the average Australian is in need of diversifying their income streams. A tiny house in their backyard not only creates affordable housing for the tiny homeowner but also brings much-needed financial help to the mortgage owner while limiting urban sprawl.
“Tiny house sales are increasing because they are so badly needed at this moment in time. They are not a fad, they are an answer and we are helping councils to fast track the approval process and get people housed.”
Nyumba ndogo sasa ni bila shaka suluhisho linalofaa kama chaguo la makazi na ziko hapa kukaa. Watu wanawataka na makampuni yanatoa, lakini halmashauri, ambao ni wajibu wa kupanga sheria, mara nyingi si kabisa huko bado. Chama cha Nyumba Ndogo cha Australia (ATHA) kinasema halmashauri nyingi zimezidiwa na matatizo ya Covid-19, vikwazo vya bajeti na ukosefu wa rasilimali na utafiti wa ubora wa kushughulikia mtindo huu mpya wa makazi. Yote haya huunda mazingira ya kuchanganyikiwa na kusita kuchukua hatua. "Baada ya mamia ya masaa, tumeunganisha template ya sera kama mwongozo kwa mashirika ya serikali, ambayo huendeleza mfumo na mbinu thabiti ya tathmini ya nyumba ndogo chini ya mfumo wa mipango, ""alisema rais wa ATHA Kim Connolly." "Mafunzo ya mpango huu ni kuondoa utata na kuunda hatua za makusudi, zinazoweza kutekelezwa kwa halmashauri ili jamii iwe na ujasiri kwamba wanatoa suluhisho kwa bidii.Wanachama wa ATHA, ambao ni wahandisi wa miundo, wapangaji wa miji, wajenzi wa nyumba ndogo na wakazi, wamefanya kazi pamoja kuunda ""Mfano wa Sera ya Nyumba ndogo"" kwa Australia nzima." Mfumo huo umekusudiwa kutumiwa na maafisa wa serikali za mitaa wa mipango na ujenzi kusaidia idhini ya kisheria ya nyumba ndogo katika eneo lao. Kuna lengo kubwa juu ya usalama na kufuata. "Sasa, zaidi ya hapo awali, nyumba ndogo hutoa nyumba kwa wanandoa wachanga wanaoingia soko la nyumba; watu wanaopunguza; wanawake wazee, wasio na wenzi wa ndoa na fedha za kustaafu ndogo sana kununua nyumba ya ukubwa wa wastani; watoto wakubwa wakihama nyumbani kwa sababu ya maswala ya COVID-19; wataalamu wa muda mfupi kama vile wauguzi au walimu; makazi ya dharura kwa sababu ya moto au vurugu za nyumbani; watu wanaotafuta mtindo wa maisha endelevu, wa athari ndogo na mtu yeyote anayehitaji nyumba salama, ""Kim anasema." <unk>Kwa sababu ya Coronavirus, wastani wa Australia anahitaji kugawanya mito yao ya mapato. Nyumba ndogo katika bustani yao ya nyuma sio tu huunda nyumba za bei nafuu kwa mmiliki wa nyumba ndogo lakini pia huleta msaada wa kifedha unaohitajika sana kwa mmiliki wa mkopo wa nyumba wakati wa kupunguza kuongezeka kwa miji. <unk>Uuzaji wa nyumba ndogo-ndogo unaongezeka kwa sababu zinahitajika sana wakati huu. Si fad, ni jibu na tunasaidia halmashauri kuharakisha mchakato wa idhini na kupata watu nyumba. <unk>