Building One Home for All
Families living together or separately under one roof is a rapidly growing trend in Western Australia (WA). Experts share vital considerations for those planning to build or renovate with dual living in mind.
Multi-Generation Living on the Rise
Housing multiple generations in one home may provide solutions to challenges like high rents, daunting mortgage payments, and social isolation. Rui Rosa, design manager at the award-winning Shelford Quality Homes, explains the increasing popularity of dual occupancy home designs in WA.
“With young people unable to find rentals or afford a home of their own, and the elderly at risk of loneliness, more families are bunking in together.”
Shelford, known for projects across Perth including Dalkeith, Cottesloe, and City Beach, now builds dual key homes in three Perth suburbs.
Global Practice Gains Local Momentum
While multi-generational living is common worldwide, WA’s tight housing market and rising interest rates are boosting its appeal here. Rosa notes a clear shift:
“We used to design maybe one dual living home a year but this is now steadily increasing.”
The demand is not only for family homes but also holiday properties. Shelford has observed a rise in dual living homes used partially for family stays and partly rented out on platforms like Airbnb in locations such as Margaret River and Dunsborough.
Easier Building Regulations
Damian Collins, managing director of Momentum Wealth in Subiaco, highlights that local governments have relaxed some regulations, making it easier to build or renovate homes catering to multi-generational living.
“It has become easier to build and renovate for multi-generation living now some of the local government regulations have been relaxed.”
This regulatory shift is facilitating the growth of this housing style throughout WA.
Author's Summary
Multi-generational homes are becoming a practical response to WA’s housing challenges, supported by evolving market needs and more flexible building regulations.