Room for everyone: why Victorian families are embracing multigenerational living

More Australian families are choosing to live closer together, and it is reshaping our backyards. According to recent census figures, around one in five Australians now live in a multigenerational household, with the number of these homes rising 22 per cent between censuses. Whether it is caring for ageing parents, giving adult kids a stepping stone to independence, or simply keeping loved ones near, families are rethinking what home looks like.

What’s driving the shift

Cost of living is a big part of the story. A separate, self-contained home in the backyard can be a far more achievable path than a second mortgage or a move away from the neighbourhood everyone loves. But it is not only about money. Many families simply want to be close, so parents and grandparents can stay involved in daily life, and support can flow both ways.

The challenge has always been the build. Modular construction still makes up just 3 to 5 per cent of Australia’s building industry, well behind countries like Japan and Sweden, and for many people the biggest question is trust. That is exactly the gap Humpy Co. was built to close.

The backyard solution, built to last

Every Humpy is Australian-made and prefabricated in our own factory, then delivered and installed at your place. You get a turnkey home managed from concept to completion, with no hidden costs, backed by our 50-year structural integrity guarantee and a 7-year statutory structural warranty. Our Backyard Pods need no building permit, and our Studio, Living and Modular Extension ranges are fully permitted and handled for you.

Here are three Victorian families who made room, their way.

Jacqueline, Chelsea: independence and care under one roof

On her parents’ property in Chelsea, Jacqueline chose The Red Wattle from our Living range, our smallest L-shaped design at 34.56 square metres. It is a clever, affordable footprint with a compact kitchen and full cooking facilities, plus a comfortable dining and living area. The result is an independent space of her own, so she can care for her parents while still having the privacy and freedom of her own home next door. Listen to Jacqueline & Neil’s story here. 

Simone, Langwarrin: a home to care for mum

Two years ago, Simone’s mum was diagnosed with an incurable cancer. Wanting to care for her and keep her close, Simone chose The Parrot, a 30.72 square metre home from our Living range, for her Langwarrin property. It gives her mum a warm, private, comfortable space of her own, with family always just a few steps away. For many households, a secondary dwelling is the most loving way to keep everyone together through life’s hardest chapters. Listen to Simone’s story here. 

Kate, Mordialloc: a home for family from near and far

Kate’s family is spread across the world, with her dad overseas and her in-laws in Germany, and when they visit, they stay for a while. So in her Mordialloc back garden, Kate built The Bowerbird, a custom Studio with a separate bedroom, living room, coffee bar and bathroom. It is a proper home away from home for the people she loves, ready whenever they arrive. Listen to Kate’s story here. 

Why families choose Humpy Co.

We are a family-owned Victorian builder, part of the Lowe family’s building legacy, servicing all of Victoria. We manage the whole journey for you, from feasibility and design through council planning, building permit, off-site manufacture, delivery and install, and aftercare. Stress-free, builder-backed, and Australian-made.

Ready to make room?

There are three easy ways to start, whenever you are ready.

• Download our brochure to explore the ranges, designs and inclusions at your own pace.
• Book a design consult, a relaxed phone call where we talk through your block, your goals and what’s possible.
• Visit our display suite to see and feel the quality for yourself.

No pressure and no hidden costs, just a stress-free way to picture what’s possible in your backyard.