The latest Aboriginal housing project in Moree has not only provided six Moree families with a comfortable, modern house to call their own, but has also helped eight local Aboriginal workers gained qualifications in construction.
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The six new Aboriginal housing properties - two two-bedroom houses in Anne Street, two in Alawa Place and another two three-bedroom homes constructed in Jacaranda Drive - were recently completed and already have tenants calling them home.
Jenny Craigie is one of the tenants who "lucked out" in receiving one of the brand new houses.
"It's a nice house, it's lovely," she said.
Son John Craigie said it's beautiful and cool.
"It's unbelievable I reckon," he said.
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The Aboriginal Housing Office (AHO) project created employment opportunities for 24 local workers, with eight local Aboriginal apprentices gaining their Certificate II in construction.
"We ran a course in conjunction with the Aboriginal Employment Strategy," AHO senior client relationship officer Mary Duke said.
"We're hoping to utilise some of the young blokes around here.
"They took so much pride in what they've achieved and accomplished with the build."
The eco-friendly houses feature modern designs and boast solar panels, split system air conditioners and security screens, helping to keep costs down for both tenants and the government.
The houses are now all tenanted and Ms Duke said each of the tenants are thrilled with their new homes.
"They love them," she said.
"It's good to see something new.
"What I love about them is they're not your typical social housing stock-standard design.
"They're more modern and up-to-date."
Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall recently visited the completed houses and was impressed by what he saw.
"They look good," he said.
"It's great to see investments being made in new housing stock, that have been built in a way to reduce the cost for tenants and maintenance costs for the government as well.
"This project has also been about upskilling local Aboriginal young people to get qualifications as a result of this, which will benefit them."
Ms Duke said the AHO is currently looking at rebuilding more houses on 11 to 13 vacant blocks around town.
Some of these will be four-bedroom houses to accommodate larger families.
Mr Marshall said this further investment will help cater for the needs of different families, with two-bedroom, three-bedroom and even four-bedroom options available.
"I hope the new tenants will treat their new accommodation with respect," he said.
