According to the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, less than half of all 25-34 year-olds owned their own home in 2011 compared to 61 per cent 30 years’ earlier.

And most of those managing to get into the market since have been taking on increasing amounts of debt to do so.

But out of this challenge, some young people are finding new and innovative ways to bi-pass the mortgage millstone by building smaller and more sustainable homes through collective and community ventures.

One farm north of Seymour, in Victoria, has been hosting natural building workshops in a bid to empower ordinary people to build their own homes affordably.

Recently, one group of paying volunteers joined skilled builders on Agari Farm to help build a “Tiny House”, a small cabin-style mobile home on a trailer.

Kate Aubrey tagged along.

Featured are:

► Dani Wolff-Chambers — Designer and builder, Agari Farm

► Adam Hickman — Carpenter, Agari Farm

► Ben Garratt — Builder, Tiny Healthy Homes

► Clare Aston — Builder, Mud Mob

► Jessie Fayers — Home owner 

Volunteers:

► Fleur Tysoe, Patt Gregory, Elke Graham, Sarah Norgrove

With permission:

► The Car Song, written by The Cat Empire