When Marnie got the keys to her unit in the Aboriginal Housing Office's (AHO) latest development in Coffs Harbour, she felt like her dreams had come true.
"It's a thousand times better than what I prayed for each night," she said.
"I feel blessed, just so grateful."
Marnie and her 2 children had spent months in unstable housing, moving between emergency accommodation and motels.
Finally, that chapter of their lives was over.
"We now get to sleep every night in our own beds in our own bedrooms, all 3 of us happy and safe," she said.
Looking at the home in Coffs Harbour CBD, it's easy to see why Marnie feels so happy.
The 8 3-bedroom homes, completed in April, have become a notable addition to the neighbourhood, attracting plenty of attention from passers-by.
AHO Construction Senior Project Manager Steve Wilson said the homes were designed with tenants in mind, and combine sustainable design with practical features.
Located close to shops and services, the homes have solar panels, rainwater tanks and heat-pump hot water systems to help reduce household running costs while keeping tenants comfortable throughout the year.
The 8 homes were built by Westbury Constructions and delivered in partnership with Many Rivers Aboriginal Housing, which will manage the properties and support tenants as they settle into the community. The project also supported local businesses, with contractors including Direct Concrete, Jim Hauville Plumbing, Highline All Electrical, S&B Civil, True Floors, Ricky Jenner Roofing & Guttering and Termi Home & Commercial contributing to the build.
Many Rivers Aboriginal Housing Senior Housing Officer Ebony Hughes said she was proud to welcome the homes into the organisation's portfolio and was confident they would make a difference.
"They will make life easier for the tenants as they will have somewhere to call home that is safe, secure and well maintained.
"We hope tenants feel proud of where they live and we look forward to seeing these houses become homes."
For tenant Jasmine, that process is already underway.
The mother of 3 said having a secure place to live had given her the chance to plan ahead.
"The security and stability has opened the path up for us to focus on our future without looming fear of homelessness."
Jasmine said she especially appreciated the security features, which include sensor lighting, secure locks and enclosed windows.
But what she loves most is having a third bedroom ready for her newborn son when he is old enough to move out of her room.
It's not just the tenants who have been impressed by the development.
Steve Wilson said the homes attracted plenty of attention during construction.
Passers-by regularly stopped to ask when they would go on the market. Even local real estate agents visited the site, hoping they might be available to sell.
The reaction came as no surprise to some of the new tenants.
If their homes featured on a renovation show, they reckon the judges would be impressed.
"Subway tiles, tick. Open-plan living, tick. Parents' retreat, tick!," one tenant said.
"I hope this is my forever home!"
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