Ngohotu Tai and her young family are relieved to be getting a roof over their heads ... with the bonus of it being their own.
She and partner David Bowden were running out of housing options before Christian organisation Habitat for Humanity stepped in.
They have been in emergency housing in Papamoa after a turbulent year living in various homes, motels and emergency housing. They will be moving into their new home in Poike Rd upon completion in two months' time.
Tai, of Tapuika, Ngati Kuri descent, is relieved to know where they will be in a few months.
"I was jumping up and down with happiness when I learned the Habitat for Humanity application was successful," Tai said.
She is "so grateful" to everyone who has helped in the process and is fulfilling her dream of having a legacy for her children.
"I was shocked, so happy. This is something for my children, this is their space."
It hasn't been an easy road of late. Recent circumstances have proven hard, coupled with the stress of not knowing where they will live next.
Now the couple are busy at the site as often as they can, fulfilling at least 500 hours of work building their new home.
Habitat for Humanity Tauranga general manager Tim Maurice said this was the first time they had housed a family from emergency housing.
"We are really proud to be able to work with this family who have had no housing at all, they've been living in motels and haven't been able to afford any housing," Maurice said.
"They're in emergency housing and they're only meant to stay for 12 weeks. This family is really hard working and deserving and without our help would not be able to achieve home ownership."
This is the 65th Habitat for Humanity home built in the Western Bay of Plenty.
Habitat for Humanity Global Village Project volunteers from Canada spent 10 days in March helping build the foundations and framework.
Tai and Bowden have worked alongside volunteers and tradesmen learning flooring, painting, insulation, prep work for cladding and roof work in the process. It is the first time they have done anything like this.
Canadian volunteer Gillian McRae said it was wonderful to see the excitement on their faces, especially their two gorgeous girls, to watch their new house come together in front of their eyes.
Tai has been hugely inspired by the experience.
Bowden works, and Tai is working towards being employed in property management again. She also wants to give back and join Habitat for Humanity, helping others into their own homes.
Habitat for Humanity believes everybody deserves a decent place to live.
They build new homes, repair and renovate houses for families in need. Families make affordable regular repayments to Habitat on a no-profit basis (rent-then-buy model) helping families build a deposit to buy their home from Habitat.
They also keep in touch regularly to help families make changes such as reducing debt and increasing income.