More disability housing for city under $35mil initiative
The Endeavour Foundation has launched a $35 million initiative to build and refurbish more than 80 disability access homes across the state. Fifteen of these will be in Toowoomba – here’s where.
Development
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The My Home, My Life initiative was launched in Middle Ridge this morning, where construction has started on two of the Toowoomba homes.
Over the next three years, the foundation will oversee the construction of 59 accessible homes and the refurbishment of 26 existing properties across Queensland, which will provide homes for 352 people with a disability.
Fifteen of these will be in Toowoomba area.
Work has started on the first five homes at Madonna Crt, Alderley St and Stenner St, and is set to be completed by mid 2021.
Endeavour Foundation CEO Andrew Donne said the initiative was the biggest investment in the foundation’s 70-year history.
“This is an ambitious project, we are investing $35 million over three years because we believe people with a disability should have the right and option to live in safe, accessible and comfortable homes,” Mr Donne said.
“Sadly there are currently 5600 Australians with disability aged under 65 living in aged care and this is unacceptable.
“This (initiative) will provide a tremendous amount of relief.
“We’ve currently got 67 people here in Toowoomba living in our supported accommodation and that will increase to 100 as a result of the initial homes we are building.”
Outside of Toowoomba, 10 new homes will be built by July 2021; four in Bundaberg, two on the Sunshine Coast, two in Ipswich, one on the Gold Coast and one in Townsville.
The new homes will be equipped with the latest technology and include an additional room for a 24/7 support worker. The homes are also positioned close to services and employment facilities.
“We’re going to need 3000 more houses just like this across the country, and I’m confident over the coming years this legacy will be built out,” National Disability Insurance Scheme Minister Stuart Robert said.
For more information on the project, go to endeavour.com.au/myhome-mylife.
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