Toowoomba social housing: Endeavour Foundation invests $6m to build 12 new homes

With a shortage of accessible housing felt across Queensland, Endeavour Foundation has completed five new homes in Toowoomba as part of a three-year investment.

In an effort to fill the void of social and accessible housing in Toowoomba, an intellectual disability support charity has taken the initiative to build new homes for their clients.

Endeavour Foundation celebrated the completion of five new homes at a special ceremony where the new residents had the chance to walk through their new home.

The construction is part of stage one of Endeavour Foundation’s three-year My Home, My Life initiative, a $35 million project to address the shortage of social housing across Queensland.

As part of the program, $3.7 million has already been invested to build five new homes in Toowoomba, with more than $6 million slated to be spent over the three years to build a total of 12 new homes, as well as refurbish three others.

The opening of new accessible homes in Toowoomba built by Endeavour Foundation as part of the My Home, My Life project. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Endeavour Foundation CEO Andrew Donne said the investment would allow people with an intellectual disability the option to live in a full accessible home, purpose built for their needs.

“This is a really exciting day for Endeavour but more particularly the customers who are moving into these fantastic new homes,” he said.

“One of the criteria for our new homes was that we had them built in the community, close to shopping centres, close to public transport, and this home is a classic example of that.

“This is the biggest investment in accessible housing that we have ever made.”

Endeavour Foundation CEO Andrew Donne speaks at the opening of new accessible homes built by the foundation as part of the My Home, My Life project. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Mr Donne said the social housing initiative was a response to the difficulty people with an intellectual disability faced in finding a suitable place to live, driven by the lack of supply of suitable housing as well as an ever-increasing demand.

“That’s why Endeavour is on the front foot and taking the initiative to give people the opportunity to live in these new homes,” he said.

“Sadly, a lot of our customers are forced to live with ageing parents, and that’s distressing for the parents who are getting to a stage where they can no longer provide the necessary care and support, and it’s also challenging for the customers.

“Research shows that there is not enough accessible housing to meet the current demand, and we know that more of these kids of homes will be needed throughout Queensland and Australia.”