A new initiative that would allow people living in Tiny Homes on Wheels (THOW) to become property caretakers was launched last Tuesday at a My Home Network information session in Castlemaine.
ore than 40 attendees, including THOW owners and builders, property managers, collective housing experts, and representatives from public housing and land grant organisations, heard about a successful four-year pilot in Melbourne. In that project, an off-grid THOW resident transformed a derelict block into a productive community garden.
Building on this proven example, the My Home Network THOW Working Group has developed a practical model to match THOW owners with secure sites on commercial, industrial, residential, farming, or community properties. In return, caretakers would provide light property maintenance, general oversight, and appropriate bushfire risk reduction, helping to activate and improve the function of the land.
Research and the Melbourne pilot demonstrate that THOW can qualify as long-term, habitable dwellings under existing caretaker residence provisions. The proposed model also includes strong governance options, with community or committee support structures to ensure the arrangement works for people of all ages and life situations.
The next step is to engage with interested land managers and property owners to refine caretaker duties and develop a pilot trial in the shire.
Tom Danby from the My Home Network THOW Working Group, who is leading the project, said it was great to see so many people interested and the collective expertise in the room. “This model is really about affordable housing, building community and caring for places. A win-win for everyone,” he said.
For more information, contact Tom Danby via email at twdanby@gmail.com or phone 0425 711 935.