Homelessness charity raises concerns over government’s ‘garden homes’ proposals

Threshold said that any unintended consequences from the exemptions need to be considered, such as the increased risk of elder abuse.

The government is examining whether to exempt modular-style homes up to 45 square metres to the rear of a main house.

There has to be at least 25 square metres of private garden space remaining.

After a four-week consultation process, more than 900 submissions from the public were received about the various proposed planning exemptions.

More than half of the submissions by the public related to the modular-style homes and are “predominantly supportive”, the Department of Housing said.

But Threshold, a charity aimed at preventing homelessness, raised concerns in its submission about “substandard” garden units being rented out without appropriate inspecti