Low and middle-income families struggling to find affordable housing could benefit from new housing developments, stronger partnerships and pathways to homeownership under the Public Rental Board’s 2026 to 2030 Strategic Plan.
Minister for Housing Maciu Nalumisa says Fiji continues to face a shortage of housing, with rising living costs and growing demand in urban areas making it increasingly difficult for families to secure affordable accommodation.
Speaking at the launch of the 2026 to 2030 Strategic Plan, Nalumisa says the PRB must ensure it has enough housing stock to meet public demand, including through new developments and partnerships with the private sector.
He says the Government is also promoting homeownership, particularly for tenants who have lived in public rental properties for many years.
Nalumisa says some tenants have been living in PRB estates for more than 30 years, raising questions about how they can be supported to move towards owning their own homes.
He says the Board should explore rent-to-own arrangements and work with other housing providers and developers to create more opportunities for low-income families.
Insert: Maciu on old housing 13th Oct
Nalumisa says the strategic plan must also address financial sustainability, governance, property development and tenancy management, while improving services for tenants and people applying for housing.
He says applicants should have a proper system to receive updates on their applications and be informed whether their applications have been successful.
Nalumisa says housing developments must also be affordable, safe and resilient to the impacts of climate change.
Meanwhile, PRB Chairperson Asenaca Nawaqalevu says the new strategic plan follows work undertaken by the previous Board, including a report that involved management, staff and other stakeholders.
Nawaqalevu says the Board faces the challenge of balancing its social responsibility to provide housing for low-income families with its commercial obligations under the Public Enterprises Act.
She says the Housing Act provides for the Board’s social responsibilities, while the Public Enterprises Act governs its operation as a government-owned enterprise.
Nawaqalevu says the two legislative frameworks create challenges for the Board, which is seeking support to review its legal framework and improve its ability to work with other providers of finance and resources to expand housing stock.
She says the Board must be innovative in responding to increasing pressure on the rental market, particularly as more people live in urban areas.
Nawaqalevu also identifies climate change and the increasing visibility of homelessness as challenges facing the housing sector, saying there is a need to ensure people have access to safe, accessible and affordable homes.
The PRB 2026-2030 Strategic Plan identifies four key priority areas: property development and tenancy management, financial sustainability, governance, and capital management.
The plan is intended to guide the Board’s operations and performance over the next three years, with a focus on improving service delivery, managing housing assets responsibly and supporting more sustainable housing opportunities for Fijians.
