Solution shared

By Tania Martin
A GROUP of Selby residents is calling for the introduction of shared housing in the hills, which they say is the only way to tackle housing shortages.
David Alderson, Shirley Excell and Shonasea Peni are living proof that shared housing works.
They moved into a house with four other adults last year and say that it is the best thing they could have ever done.
Mr Alderson said that the group of seven housemates had talked about the plan for better housing options for more than three years before eventually taking the plunge.
He said everyone in the group had been living in houses alone and that this shared housing idea was a better way of living.
“We all enjoy a higher standard of living now because there is no way any of us could have afforded a house like this on our own.”
Shirley Excell said the original idea was to build a house with a lounge, kitchen, and bathroom to be used as a communal area and have individual one bedroom apartments placed around the main house.
But Ms Excell said under the current planning regulations there generally cannot be more than one building on one title of land.
“So, in the short-term, we decided to buy a house together,” she said.
“We would like to see the regulations changed slightly so that we can go forward with our vision.”
Ms Excell is calling for the Shire of Yarra Ranges to consider the options of shared housing following the release of its draft housing strategy last week.
She said it was also important for other interested people to take part in the public consultation on the strategy so that vital changes are made to improve the housing crisis. Lyster Ward councillor Samantha Dunn said the idea of communal or shared housing makes a lot of sense especially with current lack of housing.
However she said that if the council was to approve changes to the planning scheme for housing like the group suggests is the increased risk of introducing high density housing into areas such as the Dandenongs.
Cr Dunn said changing the planning scheme would also set a precedent and open the door for developers to apply for higher density housing.
The group said they understood the risks of changing the planning scheme but believed the council could get around the problems by stipulating that only non-profit groups could be eligible for a permit for shared housing so that developers don’t exploit the system to introduce high density housing.