THE search is on for a family to take part in a year-long housing affordability experiment.
Announced by WA Housing Minister Peter Tinley today, the trial in a sustainable terrace home at Mirvac’s Iluma Private Estate in Bennett Springs will address the challenge of affordable housing, with the focus on property purchase price and living costs
The successful family’s utility consumption and lifestyle will be monitored during the study, which Mirvac, Keystart and Synergy are conducting to help shed light on the cost savings achieved by living in an energy-efficient home.
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READ NOWMirvac general manager residential WA Paige Walker said the experiment is an important step in being able to deliver a zero energy design concept (where energy consumption and production are equal) that has additional cost-efficiency and livability measures to help support customers struggling with household costs.
“The affordability experiment aims to showcase medium-density terrace housing as a viable alternative with both lifestyle and financial benefits,” she said.
“It also seeks to empower our customers through education on how to make better choices in the upfront purchase that can have a long-lasting positive impact on their finances.
“We hope to take key learnings from the experiment across areas including energy, water, landscaping, technology, automation and finances to achieve increased efficiency and apply the concept at a larger-scale precinct level in the future.”
The $415,000 three-bedroom, two-bathroom home will be built by Terrace on 165sq m and feature solar panels and batteries, water-efficient garden and energy and water-efficient appliances to achieve an 8.4-star energy rating.
The family will pay “rent,” which will be saved and refunded for use as a home deposit at the experiment’s end.
Applicants must be able to qualify for Keystart.
The experiment is set to begin in March 2020.
To apply, visit iluma.mirvac.com/affordabilityexperiment
Applications close November 3.