Endeavour Foundation offers solution to disability housing shortage in Ipswich

People with disabilities who live in Ipswich who have spent years searching for local and accessible housing could soon have a solution.

The Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent construction boom has left all Ipswich residents with fewer and more expensive housing options, but particularly those with disability.

NDIS participant Grace Hegarty, 28, and her family searched for accommodation that would allow her to live independently for five years before finally securing a place in December last year.

Ms Hegarty’s mother Jane said those arduous years consisted of researching providers and locations and going through various application processes for funding and approval.

Her daughter now lives relatively close to her family in an accessible home at Corinda.

“I like how I can look after my garden and my plants,” Ms Hegarty said.

“I’ve been liking to go out with my brother and my sister for a coffee or going to the movies, and I also sometimes go out for a coffee with my mum and dad as well.

“I am happy that I have moved out … because I’m enjoying my activities that I have been doing since I moved out on December 5 (2020).”

According to 2016 Census data, more than 11,000 Ipswich residents need help in their day-to-day lives due to disability.

The percentage of people needing assistance in Ipswich increased from 4.9 per cent in 2011 to 5.7 per cent in 2016, compared to South East Queensland’s 4.9 per cent the same year.

A report by Summer Housing released in January estimated a total of 12 specialist disability accommodation dwellings with 14 places were in the pipeline for Ipswich.

Member for Blair Shayne Neumann, Endeavour Foundation interim CEO David Blower, Disability Services Minister Craig Crawford, and Endeavour Foundation's Darrin Simpson and Grace Hegarty at the unveiling of the two new homes at Yamanto on Wednesday. Picture: Jessica Baker

Those numbers were in stark contrast to that for other regions, including the Gold Coast which had an estimated 101 dwellings in the works with 116 places.

The most recent statistics from the NDIS revealed 779 registered participants were still looking for accessible homes.

Disability service provider Endeavour Foundation interim CEO David Blower said Ipswich was in desperate need of accessible housing in the current “ballistic” property market.

“It’s getting harder to find an affordable home to buy or rent in many parts of Queensland at the moment,” he said.

“Now imagine how difficult that is if you have a disability and you need a home with accessible features.”

Endeavour Foundation unveiled two new homes at Yamanto on Wednesday, which will allow eight Ipswich residents with disability to live more independently.

“We’re proud to have finished these two homes in Yamanto at a cost of $1.5 million, including land purchase, and I’m pleased to say that two more are on the way,” Mr Blower said.

The disability service provider is now seeking expressions of interest from NDIS participants to begin living trials at the Ipswich homes.

“It’s a big step in any person’s life when they leave home and we know many adults with disability end up living with their parents for a lot longer than other people of the same age,” Mr Blower said.

“It’s important that we give people the opportunity to live more independently sooner so they can develop the skills they need, which gives parents who have played a crucial role as carers the chance to see their children flourish.”

The two homes already built, and the two planned for Brassall next year, include special features such as buttons in each bedroom, bathroom and living space, as well as extra-wide corridors to accommodate wheelchairs and smart home ducted airconditioning systems with individual room control.

Each facility will house four residents, with a fifth bedroom for a support worker.

The unveiling of the completed homes came nine months after Endeavour Foundation first announced its $45 million My Home, My Life initiative to tackle Queensland’s accessible housing shortfall.

For more information or to register your interest in moving in to one of Endeavour’s new accessible homes at Ipswich, click here.