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Maleny leads the way on affordable housing
Sod to turn on small house
Artist's impression of the dwelling
This Friday will mark a significant turning point for Compassionate Housing Affordability Solutions Maleny (CHASM) when Cr Jenny McKay will officially turn the first sod towards the establishment of a small house within the Maleny Co-op community garden.
Following two years of fundraising combined with two major grants CHASM Housing has now raised the $60,000 required to bring their prototype of an affordable home to town.
CHASM Housing’s small house project aims to improve community awareness about the needs and benefits of small and affordable housing, while normalising the idea of living in smaller dwellings.
In this pilot project a transportable small home will be sited on land that has been leased from the Maleny Co-op, facing onto Bicentenary Lane.
The transportable nature of the building allows it to be established on a semi-permanent site and connected to all services, yet easily re-sited if the needs of the landholder change.
The building will meet the requirements of Sunshine Coast Council’s secondary dwelling criteria and is an example of what could be established in many backyards within the council area.
CHASM Housing is working with Creative Cabins of Gatton, who are very keen to support the small home movement with their uniquely affordable and functional cabins.
The cabin will be factory-built and delivered to the site complete and ready to be mounted on stumps. Once established, this house will be open to the public to show the possibilities to other landholders. CHASM Housing will offer to support ten local landholders to establish similar dwellings.
Local builder Ross Meneely will manage the establishment of the building on site.
