Australian couple told two modular homes on one block makes it an 'estate'

Caitlin Holme and Chris Robinson face an uncertain future on their suburban block in Bulli, Australia, where their dream of living next door to Ms. Holme's sister has stalled. For two years, the couple has been trying to build a modular home on a large subdivided block they purchased with Ms. Holme's sister, who already has her own modular home on the rear of the property.

Wollongong City Council's decision to classify the property with two modular homes as a "manufactured housing estate" has created a planning hurdle. "I think not many people realize there was this weird thing," Ms. Holme said. "Like suddenly two houses means it's a manufactured housing estate? It's not a caravan park."

“

I think not many people realize there was this weird thing. Like suddenly two houses means it's a manufactured housing estate? It's not a caravan park.

The ruling leaves the couple paying rent and a mortgage while raising two young children. "We don't want to give up on the plan of living next door to my sister and her family, it's too good of a dream to walk away from at the moment," Ms. Holme stated. "The reality is housing prices are more expensive and our generation has to be a bit more creative about how you make that a reality." However, she added, "we're not super optimistic anymore; we still just feel so up in the air."

The couple's predicament arises as the NSW government actively promotes modern construction methods to address the housing crisis. Despite the government's push to cut building costs and times with such methods, Ms. Holme and Mr. Robinson's application was rejected. They had been confident due to similar dual-occupancy projects succeeding in other NSW council areas.

“

We don't want to give up on the plan of living next door to my sister and her family, it's too good of a dream to walk away from at the moment. The reality is housing prices are more expensive and our generation has to be a bit more creative about how you make that a reality. But I think [with] everything we've been through in this process, we're not super optimistic anymore; we still just feel so up in the air.