Principal speaker
Dr Heather Shearer
An emergent social trend is the tiny house movement. The tiny house movement originated in the USA, in response to housing affordability issues, the Global Financial Crisis, and a desire to live more sustainably by downsizing; in particular by building a small or tiny house (under 40m2). Potentially, it could address some aspects of housing affordability, by allowing more flexible housing choices within urban or peri-urban areas. In addition, given that larger houses consume more resources at all stage of the housing lifecycle, from their construction, day to day operation and eventual demolition, it has the potential to improve energy and water efficiency and general urban sustainability. However, very little research has been conducted on this trend, and on its potential to improve affordable and sustainable housing outcomes. This paper reports on a small scale study which interviewed a range of Australian tiny house enthusiasts, and highlights some of the barriers and drivers around building a tiny house, for example the inflexibility of local government planning schemes and building codes, and an inability to source mortgage finance. It concludes with suggestions for further research, including expanding the study to other OECD countries, such as the USA, Canada and New Zealand.