Toowoomba social housing: Endeavour Foundation builds fully accessible home for four women

A generous $500k donation to the Endeavour Foundation has allowed four Toowoomba women with disability to move into their dream home.

It was a special day for four Toowoomba women as they get to move into their brand-new dream home built by Endeavour Foundation.

The new house is part of the My Home, My Life, initiative which Endeavour Foundation started in 2020, and on Tuesday the four women living with disability who will now call the residence home were officially welcomed.

It was the sixth home to be built in Toowoomba by the foundation in three years as part of a $9m investment to address the shortage of accessible housing.

(From left) Susan, Angie, and Alison were excited to enter their brand new home built by Endeavour Foundation

The $1.1m Specialist Disability Accommodation home was made possible because of a $500,000 donation.

Endeavour Foundation’s executive general manager of home and community services Leanne Rutherford said the donors wished to remain anonymous but were well-known to the company and are incredibly humble people.

“It’s an astonishing gift that will leave a lasting legacy,” Ms Rutherford said.

(From left) Angie and Susan are excited to start living in their new house and have already picked out their rooms

A tree planted ceremony was held at the home to symbolise stability, community, and personal growth

Built for NDIS participants, the home features extra wide doorways, adjustable counters, assistance alarms, large corridors to allow for wheelchairs, and reinforced walls and ceilings.

“We believe people with disability have the same right as everyone else to live in a suitable, affordable and secure home with people they want to live with.,” Ms Rutherford said.

“Often, people with disabilities find themselves living at home with ageing parents, who have played an important role as carers but increasingly need support themselves.

“Knowing that their loved ones have a safe, secure, and affordable place to call home for as long as they need it can make a huge difference to a family’s piece of mind.”

For one of the women, Alison, this was her first time moving out of her home.

“I’m looking forward to making a girls’ night, making hot food and putting knives, forks and plates on the table. It’s so good to make our own life and make nice friends,” Alison said.

As well as a door-ribbon cutting, a tree-planting ceremony will be held at the new house to symbolise stability, community and personal growth.

Originally published as Toowoomba social housing: Endeavour Foundation builds fully accessible home for four women