Mick and Helen's marriage just ended, now the exes say it's the perfect time to build their 'forever home' together
Michael and Helen Fox are exes with a unique living situation. They're separated but are about to embark on a journey to build their 'forever home'.
It's certainly not conventional but Blackheath locals Mick and Helen wouldn't do it any other way because it's all for their daughter Caitlin who has special needs.
They're one of three families trialling modern building methods to solve the housing crisis on Jamie Durie's Future House. Discover their unusual plans in the video above.
Helen and Mick are in the process of separating but also building their 'forever home'. Nine
"Me and Helen, we're in the process of separating so we want separate houses but we still wanted to be close to Caitlin," Mick explained their circumstance.
"Caitlin has got level four autism but she's also severely developmentally delayed and she's non verbal so she really needs to have people around her that understand her," mum Helen added.
Jamie Durie's Future House airs on Tuesdays at 8:30pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.
Host and designer Jamie Durie stopped by to understand exactly how Mick and Helen plans to live separately but together on the same block will work.
Even though they've split, Mick and Helen purchased a block of land together where they are going to build two prefabricated houses.
Mick and Helen's unusual living arrangement is all for their daughter Caitlin who has special needs. Nine
The floor plans of the two dwellings will be identical with only their décor to be different, meaning daughter Caitlin won't feel a change moving between mum's house and dad's house.
"She will be completely comfortable. It's a win-win. How brilliant!?" Jamie said.
Together Mick and Helen purchased a block of land in Blackheath in New South Wales where they'll build two identical dwellings. Nine
Helen chuckled admitting their arrangement was definitely "out there".
"Most people that I know that are separating want to get as far away from each other as possible," Jamie laughed.
Jamie admired Mick and Helen's plan calling it "selfless" and "very modern", if he did say so himself.
While their daughter Caitlin's comfort and convenience is their top priority, Mick and Helen added that even if they wanted to live away from one another they simply couldn't afford to buy separate houses.
Mick and Helen showed Jamie Durie around their block. Nine
It's been a year-long process to get council approval for the build but Mick and Helen can finally start.
Although the council didn't approve Mick's plans to build his house right up the front of the property meaning the exes will only live a few metres apart.
Helen jokingly shook her head as she said perhaps Mick's place wasn't far away enough after all.
Jamie Durie's Future House airs on Tuesdays at 8:30pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.
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