Paul and Kim Bannister received the keys to their new Coledale home on Saturday after 18 months’ working alongside the not-for-profit charity, Habitat for Humanity.

The group helps low-income families achieve the dream of building and owning their own home.

The Bannisters rolled out to a meeting at the Coledale Community Centre when the charity reinstated the program in 2015.

“I didn’t want to go to be honest, but Kim took me kicking and screaming,” Mr Bannister said.

“Turned out we qualified.”

The couple received an interest-free, 20-year loan based on 95 percent of the market value of the completed home.

Under the program, families contribute 500 hours of their own time in the planning and construction phases – this is called ‘sweat equity’ and is recognised in the five percent discount on market value that Habitat for Humanity returns to them.

The Bannisters have owned one home before, but an ill-fated business decision declared them bankrupt some years ago. The couple, both in their 40s and on a disability pension, have since struggled to secure finance for a new home.

“We never thought in our life that we’d ever have this chance,” Mr Bannister said.

“The banks wouldn’t touch us (after we went bankrupt). 

“It’s incredible. We are so thankful for a place of our own.

Habitat for Humanity Tamworth president Pastor James Ardill said the group allows people living under significant housing stress the chance to make a place their own – through building it and paying it off.

“There are people who are paying a significant amount of rent or have six kids living in a two-bedroom house and no possibility of owning their own home,” he said.

“We’re wanting to give people a leg up, not a hand out.”

Habitat for Humanity is calling on donations to continue building homes for families doing it tough.