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Stories from Short-Term Modular Housing recipients

Read case studies from community members who were connected to the Short-Term Modular Housing program following the 2019-20 Eastern Victorian bushfires. There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to Short Term Modular Housing (STMH). The program was designed to be affordable and flexible and to get property owners back on their land.

We worked with many families to make sure STMH was right for them.

Read their stories below.

Temporary accommodation on a hard to access site

Getting a Short-Term Modular House on your land can be challenging. We worked with Jeremy Sternson to come up with a solution.

After travelling between his land and his family’s rental property every day, the process of rebuilding had felt like it was becoming too hard for Jeremy.

However, his mind was put at ease after a no-obligation visit from a property inspector. Jeremy was assured that while a few changes would need to be made to the house, they could work with the site.

His Short-Term Modular House was delivered by 2 cranes and 3 trucks, in 8 pieces, transported one at a time, along a narrow 4 km track. The home was then assembled, piece by piece, on-site for over 12 hours.

![A truck loads a short-term housing module onto the back of the truck with the help of a crane](/sites/default/files/2021-11/Units moving sun.jpg)

![A modular house in the middle of a grassy paddock.](/sites/default/files/2021-11/Outside two.jpg)

The Sternson family moved back onto their land while continuing to plan their rebuild.

Pictures provided by Jeremy Sternson.

Affordable temporary accommodation

The Short-Term Modular Housing program was designed to be affordable and to get people back on their land and in their communities.

Our recovery support workers connected affected community members with locals like Leonie from Anglicare Financial Counselling who are here to help. ‘We try to make it as painless and easy as possible. We are available and flexible.’

‘Twelve months down the track there is a lot of trauma. Getting into a Short-Term Modular Home can give you breathing space. You don’t need to have a plan or to know what to do right now. The home and financial peace of mind will give you the space to work out what you want to do. It can give you the space to think.’

By guiding applicants through a simple process to make sure that people who needed, Leonie helped make sure Short-Term Modular Housing was accessible at a fee that is affordable.

![Leonie Cooke standing and smiling next to the sea](/sites/default/files/2021-11/pic 2.jpg)

Photo supplied by Leonie Cooke.

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Updated 24 February 2025

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