“My home”

“My Home” is a not for profit entity which uses a PPP (Public Private Partnership) model bringing together public, private and community sectors to provide housing for homeless people or other disadvantaged people on very low incomes in Western Australia. Based on the Housing First strategy which is generally accepted globally as best practice in reducing homelessness. To enable low cost housing, we remove the upfront expenditure on land from the supply equation by using government, Church or other unused land which we lease at a peppercorn lease. Private sector philanthropic investors fund the cost of construction through tax deductible gifts. A local community housing provider then manages the properties and the tenants as well as being a conduit to wrap around support services. Initially, we have four sites provided by the Western Australian government and are preparing for construction on the first site by mid-2020. The houses are small 30m2 single occupant with bedroom, living area, kitchen, bathroom with washing machine and verandah. They are designed and constructed working to Passivhaus principles with excellent insulation and sealing, double glazing, no thermal bridging (UPVC window frames) and an air exchange system. The houses are north facing to receive winter sun into the living area and verandah and have solar PV panels and rainwater collection tanks. The sites are landscaped with trees and vegetation providing shade and privacy. They have vegetable gardens which the residents are encouraged to nurture and shared outdoor living spaces. The house structure is prefabricated timber stud wall, roof and floor cassettes which are deliver ‘flat pack’ to site complete with insulation, external cladding, services cavities, windows and door openings. The structural panels for each house can be erected in one day. An Investor Memorandum is available which provides background on the “My Home” project. Please email mblakeley@optusnet.com.au if you like a copy.