Going solo: The hidden reason why Australia needs more homes than ever
Changing demographics are exacerbating demand for certain types of housing
2 min
The rise in single person households is exacerbating the housing crisis — and it shows no evidence of slowing down, according to new findings.
Research by Ray White says the number of people living alone in Australia is on the increase and is impacting the volume and style of homes being built.
Data from the RBA and the ABS showed that more than one in four households in Australia now have just one occupant.
The average size of households increased during the early stages of the COVID-induced lockdowns as young people in particular returned to the family home. However, by the end of 2020, that trend started to reverse resulting in the average household size hitting a historic low of 2.48 people by August 2022.
Chief economist at Ray White, Nerida Conisbee said the results seem counterintuitive at first.
“With lockdowns frequently restricting visitation levels during the pandemic, it would have seemed intuitive that people would move in together to have company. The opposite however occurred. Rising wealth as a result of record savings rates led to more people moving out on their own,” she said.
“This higher demand for housing from more single person households led rents to rise even though population growth was very low.
“Given the opportunity (and the money), it appears that there is a strong preference for people to not be surrounded by too many people in their homes.”
The impact on the demand for increasing levels of housing has been significant.
“A rough calculation suggests that across the Australian population of more than 25 million people, a decline in (the Average Household Size) AHS of the magnitude observed between early 2020 and September 2022 (around 1 per cent, without any change in population growth) would alone imply an increase of around 120,000 households,” a report authored by Nalini Agarwal, James Bishop and Iris Day for the RBA said.
While the rising numbers of single person households may appear to be voluntary, Ms Conisbee said that it was not always the case. This was especially true for older Australians living in three or four-bedroom homes.
She said the existing housing stock was not keeping up with changing demographic needs.
“Australia is dominated by houses with three or more bedrooms,” Ms Conisbee said.
“Most households with just one person have more than two spare bedrooms. While there is likely a preference by some to have a lot of spare rooms, the reality is that finding a home with just one or two bedrooms is difficult unless you want to live in a high density area or in a high rise apartment building.
“There is a growing requirement for smaller medium density homes, particularly in inner and middle suburbs around Australia.”
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Mirvac’s 45-level Trielle has topped out at Yarra’s Edge, pairing riverfront apartments with wellness facilities, private dining and resident services.
3 min
Mirvac has topped out Trielle at Melbourne’s Yarra’s Edge, with more than 70 per cent of the riverfront development sold and approximately 80 per cent of purchasers intending to make their apartment a home.
The figures, released on September 22, point to an owner-occupier audience for one of the precinct’s final residential towers. Mirvac began developing Yarra’s Edge in 2003, and its latest addition occupies one of the remaining absolute riverfront sites.
Mirvac CEO of Development Stuart Penklis said existing residents were among those moving up within the neighbourhood.
“Many purchasers already have a connection to Yarra’s Edge,” Mr Penklis said, describing buyers whose changing needs were encouraging an upgrade within the precinct.
“As one of the final residential towers within Yarra’s Edge, Trielle represents the culmination of more than two decades of creating one of Melbourne’s most established and sought-after waterfront communities,” Penklis said.
“Positioned on the Collins Street axis with absolute river frontage, Trielle offers residents a rare opportunity to enjoy sweeping views across the Yarra River, Melbourne skyline and Port Phillip Bay, while remaining seamlessly connected to the CBD. With Trielle now more than 70 per cent sold, we’re continuing to see strong demand from buyers seeking quality homes in established locations.”
The developer also flagged a penthouse and sub-penthouse collection with larger layouts, premium finishes and broad outlooks. The planned wellness centrepiece, The Oasis, encompasses a 900-square-metre elevated urban rainforest.
Mirvac General Manager Residential Development Victoria Elysa Anderson said Trielle had resonated strongly with buyers seeking a rare lifestyle offering in Melbourne.
“Opportunities to secure a new luxury residence on a riverfront site of this calibre are incredibly rare, particularly within a community like Yarra’s Edge,” Anderson said.
“What makes Trielle unique is the combination of exceptional views, world-class residential facilities and the lifestyle that already exists around it. Residents are buying into a mature waterfront community with parks, promenades, dining, wellness and strong community connections already in place.”
The 45-level tower brings a substantial new presence to that waterfront. Its residential offering spans one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments, with Signature, Prestige and Sub-Penthouse collections accommodating different household sizes. The north-facing position connects the apartments visually to the river and city beyond.
Seven storeys above the promenade, the planned Oasis combines planting and a running stream with a Scandinavian-inspired wellness club developed with spa specialist Naomi Gregory. Facilities include a 25-metre lap pool, hot magnesium pool, sauna, hydrotherapy, a gym, yoga and Pilates room, and treatment spaces.
The amenity extends beyond exercise. Residents will have access to The Biblioteca library and workspaces, ground-floor work pods, and The Salone piano lounge. A private Chef’s Table dining room offers a setting for larger gatherings, while a cinema, games room and sports lounge broaden the entertaining options. Concierge services and a dog-wash area support everyday routines.
Trielle comprises a collection of one, two, three and four-bedroom residences. Reflecting strong demand from owner occupiers, approximately 80 per cent of purchasers to date intend to live in their homes, highlighting the project’s appeal to those seeking a long-term waterfront lifestyle.
Mirvac has recently delivered The Albertine, a premium apartment development on the edge of Melbourne’s CBD, and is nearing completion of Prince & Parade in Brunswick, further strengthening its portfolio of thoughtfully designed apartment communities in some of Melbourne’s most sought-after urban locations.
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