Challenge 10 – What are the specific planning & authority rules that need changing to support Multigenerational homes. (Article 16)

(Please note that this article is one in a series and it may make references to  previous articles)

​When starting this, I never knew that I would have had to travel such a journey. Would I have started this knowing that there was such illogical and incomprehensible resistance to a solution that could benefit so many? Absolutely. If anything, as a result of being forced to traverse down the many rabbit warrens, it has only strengthened my resolve as I am much more confident of the roadblocks than I ever have been. And they are not insurmountable. I can’t help but feel that it is somewhat a shame that the authorities we rely on to solve planning and housing issues are part of the cause as to why the problems exist in the first instance. Yet the authorities have so much to deal with that sometimes they too can become overwhelmed by the multiple responsibilities they have to deal with and maybe sometimes, it also needs others to challenge what they do and provide alternative approaches. In saying all that, there is not a great deal that needs to change in allowing more multigenerational homes, yet there is a need for change. The suggested amendments to current planning and building rules are outlined below.
 
If these amendments are adopted, then in the long term this slight change should provide more opportunities for families to take better care of their aging parents, children or disabled family members while also improving our broader approach to sustainability, housing affordability and community resilience. 

A multigenerational house should:

1. Be referred to in the planning scheme as a building type, not dissimilar to the Rooming Home under the Victorian Planning Scheme.
2. Not be classified as a class 2 Building as long as it meets criteria under an amended Class1b code.
3. Have “flexibility of space” as the vital design attribute that allows the dwelling to easily adjust with minimal construction work to better meet the different family needs of different generations.
4. Be exempt from needing a planning permit if it were to meet the building code requirements of a Class1b, subject to the following amendments:
   • A second kitchen can be placed on any floor but must be easily removable so space can serve multiple purposes
   • Accessibility requirements to be no less than the Gold standard under the Australian Livable Housing Guidelines.
   • Increase fire protection (60/60/60 mins) to the walls and ceilings between the areas where the different families or groups can live;
   • No open flames (i.e. Electric Stoves only);
   • Where areas can be closed off between occupants, they must not be fixed walls, i.e. fire treated operable wall or doors are acceptable. 

If these rules are implemented, then we will be making it real.
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​The journey, however, does not stop until the prototype is built to demonstrate what such a house the meets these rules, looks and feels and behaves (Image above). In the next few articles, I will explain the planning strategy taken, how the home design embraces flexibility allowing to have multiple configurations, the building approval process and hopefully the fun part where I can start adding photos of the thing coming out of the ground! The one thing that I haven’t highlighted here is that the final confrontation with the authorities will occur when the house is built. At this stage, it will not yet be a Multigenerational home; however they will be given a chance to determine if it can be. If you want to hear how this works out, please register for updates.