Gallery: Tiny homes open doors to hope in Woombye — as family moves in from car
From left: Member for Glass House, Andrew Powell, Gay Forbes & her granddaughter, Sunshine Coast Mayor, Rosanna Natoli, QLD Premier, David Crisafulli, Mark Forbes & Nicklin MP, Marty Hunt at today’s official opening.
A single mother and her two children, who had been sleeping in their car recently, will tonight become the first residents of a new ‘tiny homes’ village in Woombye – a stark reminder of both the need and the impact of a project officially opened today (April 1).
The endED village, featuring eight purpose-built homes, has been designed to support people experiencing eating disorders and complex mental health challenges, offering short-term accommodation alongside specialist care.
Founder Mark Forbes said the village was about far more than buildings. “Today truly is a special day. We gather not just to open a place, but to open a door. A door to hope, to healing, and to possibility,” Mr Forbes said.
“This village exists because of you and it is here for you.”
Backed by almost $2 million in State Government funding for the accommodation, and a further $1.2 million to support endED’s recovery programs through to 2028, the facility aims to provide wrap-around care in a safe, supported environment.
Residents will have access to specialist mental health support, meal guidance, trauma-informed activities and peer support, with a focus on stabilising recovery and reducing the need for hospital care.
Mr Forbes said the model brought together key elements often missing for vulnerable families.
“This short-term accommodation village has been built with a very clear purpose: to support individuals and families navigating the incredibly complex and often isolating journey of eating disorders,” he said.
“Here we have affordable housing and directly across the road, the House of Hope. This is a model… that needs to be replicated across Queensland.”
Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli praised the community effort behind the project.
“When Mark picks up the phone, you know something extraordinary is about to happen,” Mayor Natoli said.
“These sorts of projects don’t happen without a lot of support… thank you on behalf of all of the people whose lives will be changed because you stood up and answered that call.”
Premier David Crisafulli said the initiative reflected the role community organisations play in filling critical gaps.
“Great societies are compassionate societies. Great societies are societies where people don’t get left behind,” he said.
“I’m mindful that so many people fall through the cracks every day. An investment like this… is a really worthwhile one, not just medically, but also socially.”
The village was developed by local not-for-profit endED, founded by Mr Forbes and his wife Gaye, who have worked for years to build support networks for people living with eating disorders.
For Mr Forbes, the opening marked just the beginning.
“Today marks not an ending, but a beginning — the beginning of countless stories of support, resilience and recovery that will unfold right here,” he said.
