Tiny Home Expo has huge housing solutions

The Tiny Home Expo is coming to the Mornington Peninsula this month, and expo organisers say the event is gathering more and more interest as people seek alternative solutions to a multitude of pressures from rental stress, the housing crisis, aged care alternatives, and options for young people wanting to save rental money.

“While initially the tiny house movement was in the realm of alternative lifestyles, a greener solution and coming from the aspect of having less ’stuff’, in more recent years it has attracted a much wider audience in search of solutions to an array of issues, the most obvious one being the housing crisis,” said expo organiser Phae Barrett.

“Few people realise how easy it is to find land to use and how simple it is to live in such a small space, and fewer people realise how life-changing it can be to have peace of mind and no mortgage, less stuff and a simpler living arrangement.”

From just a handful of tiny home builders across the country in 2019, there are now more than 300 within the industry producing thousands of homes that are for living in or for use as an Airbnb or farm stay, granny flat, spare room, office, or just extra space.

“They're such a tangible item – something that needs to be seen, touched, felt and stood in – so it is awesome that people can come to an expo and be able to physically view so many different designs and spaces as well as talk to each builder in person,” said Lance, another of the organisers. “We have real tiny rooms/offices and micro homes and everything in between, and even 15m x 5m modular buildings that are perfect for a studio or granny flat. Many are on wheels and are either single storey or have upstairs bedrooms. The layouts are quite diverse.”

In addition, the expo will feature talks and advice on finding land; dealing with councils; how to go totally off-grid with solar, water and toilets; towing; finance and general ideas.

“It really does open your mind to many possibilities, and people are often mind-blown by the quality and spacious, modern and luxury feel of these houses,” said Jodie, who attended last year’s expo and has chosen her tiny house builder. “I am super-excited to start living tiny and changing my life.”

The Tiny Home Expo is at Mornington Racecourse on Friday, March 22, from 10am-3pm, and Saturday and Sunday, March 23-24, from 9am-5pm. The expo has a staggered ticketing system to reduce queuing into display houses, with tickets ranging from $20-$35; children are free. You can also find a comprehensive Q&A section at www.tinyhomesexpo.com.au