Portables to solve the housing crisis and cure home heartache?

New research released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) cements the reasons behind PennyGranny’s creation and the appeal of affordable and sustainable portable homes.

Australia’s current rental and buying market can cause heartache for those searching for an affordable home. One of our customers, Wendy Phillips, chose a PennyGranny portable when she couldn’t find a property in budget for her mother.

“The hunt was on for somewhere for Mum to live,” says Wendy. “She has emphysema, so can’t handle stairs, and her eyesight is declining rapidly due to macular degeneration. Rents on the Gold Coast have soared $500 to $600 a week for a tacky one-bedroom unit and at least 30 people are looking at each place available, so renting on the age pension was simply not an option. The only alternative seemed to be putting her into a nursing home, which she didn’t want and neither did we.” 

“After having a few conversations with PennyGranny, we decided that hiring a granny flat was the perfect fit for Mum. We have room on our property, and it still gives Mum the independence she craves while being close enough that we can care for her,” says Wendy.

Latest ABS figures show another increase in house prices.

PennyGranny gets a considerable number of calls and messages each week from people wanting to either hire or buy a portable home. So, we know that Wendy’s situation is not a one-off.

The latest figures (December 2024) from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reveal that the mean price of residential dwellings in New South Wales has increased over the last quarter and is the highest in the country at $1.233,600, with the ACT and Queensland in second and third spots. 

The ABS figures also show that house dwellings have risen by $156.3 billion in the last quarter of 2024, with values rising in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia. These increases put further pressure on renters and first-time home buyers in an already scarce and budget-busting housing market. How can first-time buyers or those in rentals get a foot on or move up the property ladder?

PennyGranny Founder and CEO Michael Doubinski has seen a rise in demand for portable homes. “We launched PennyGranny portable housing in 2021 to answer the need for affordable rentals and housing in the post-COVID era. Since then, we have sold or hired over 300 portable homes. We receive more calls monthly due to the scarcity and cost of homes to rent or buy.”

What’s new at PennyGranny?

To meet the growing demand, PennyGranny has expanded its workforce and opened a new office in Milsons Point, Sydney. PennyGranny also has plans to extend into Far North Queensland. And just in time. ABS figures reveal that Queensland now has the third-largest mean price in the country ($915,700).

In addition to a new PennyGranny showroom to better serve customers in remote areas, there are two new designs. The Haven and The Sanctuary meet the demand for high-end portable living in the Australian market.

Of course, PennyGranny knows customers want any home they buy or rent to tick off everything on their checklist. That’s why PennyGranny’s bespoke buildings can be tailored to be entirely self-sufficient (off-grid) by incorporating features such as solar panels, incinerating toilets, and other sustainable technologies. Additionally, custom-covered decks can be added to expand the living space and enhance the functionality of the building.

PennyGranny portables are proudly Australian and meet rigorous quality and construction standards. They’re also sustainable and eco-friendly, using specially selected materials and energy-efficient design elements.

Key facts:

• PennyGranny works with councils, town planners, and developers to establish and approve affordable housing
• PennyGranny offers a variety of high-quality portable housing, buildings, and outdoor offices for hire across NSW, QLD, VIC, and ACT, as well as for sale Australia-wide.
• As well as permanent and temporary accommodation solutions, uses for PennyGranny portables include Airbnb rentals, office solutions, renovation accommodations or emergency accommodation during crises.
• Hiring timeline: Just under one week.
• Purchasing timeline: Orders are being taken for February 2025 (as of December 2024).
• New models: The Haven and The Sanctuary are designed to meet the Australian market’s demand for high-end portable living.
• A new showroom at Milsons Point will showcase materials and finishes.