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.
Community News
Don't miss out on the headlines from Community News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
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.
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.
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.
‘So vulnerable’: The toll sleeping on the street takes on your body
This is what happens to your body and mind from just one week of sleeping rough on the streets.
Named: Toowoomba’s best accountant
An accountancy firm which focuses on small family businesses has been named Toowoomba’s best. Find out what makes them a spreadsheet above the rest:
Gallery: First Nations culture and traditions on show at Cobb and Co
School students of the region participated in a celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture in a unique program of activities at Cobb and Co. See details and photos here.
Deputy mayor weighs into nuclear debate as water security ‘risks’ raised
One of Toowoomba’s most powerful elected officials has weighed on in a proposal for a nuclear reactor within a few kilometres of the region’s boundary.
Traffic disrupted after two-vehicle crash
Three people are being assessed by paramedics after a two-car crash that has delayed traffic in a Toowoomba suburb. Here’s what we know.
From battling addiction to battling fires: Celebrating 10 years of Sunrise Way
A volunteer firefighter and re-enactment warrior has opened up about how his battle with addiction helped him battle bushfires across Australia, as rehab centre Sunrise Way celebrates ten years in Toowoomba.