Toowoomba man Jason Moore can't wipe the smile off his face as he speaks of the new home he will soon move into as part of a $35 million housing initiative.
Mr Moore, 50, has lived in an Endeavour Foundation home since 1992 and shares accommodation with nine other people.
But his new home will be spacious, include all the modern conveniences and is a short walk from his work and shopping centres.
"[It's] very special, it was one of my dreams," Mr Moore said.
"It'll just be beautiful and wonderful. I'm very excited."
Initiative to tackle shortage of disability accommodation
Endeavour Foundation provides services to people with an intellectual disability who need support in-home, work and daily life.
Chief executive Andrew Donne estimates 1,716 people require specialty disability accommodation in Queensland, with the need "far outstripping" what is available.
"So people continue living at home with ageing parents or end up in short-term unstable or unsuitable accommodation," he said.
"Sadly, there are 5,600 Australians with disability aged under 65 living in aged care, and this is unacceptable.
"The time for action is now."
Mr Donne said the homes would feature integrative technology to help people live as independently as possible.
"Through this initiative we will replace homes for 252 people with intellectual disability and create new homes for another 100 Queenslanders," he said.
"A lot of the homes we have are now quite elderly … they were built in the 70s and 80s."
'We want every Australian to have the opportunity'
The first phase will include new homes in Toowoomba, Bundaberg, Sunshine Coast, Ipswich, Gold Coast and Townsville, targeting areas of growing need.
"This will provide a tremendous amount of relief," Mr Donne said.
"[This is] the biggest investment ever made by Endeavour Foundation."
National Disability Insurance Scheme Minister Stuart Robert said there were 15,500 Australians with specialist disability accommodation in their plan.
"We currently have almost have 4,500 dwellings but we need another 3,000," he said.
"We want every Australian to have the opportunity … to have something amazing to move into."
