34 tenants from the Public Rental Board (PRB) Mead Road Estate have moved out, while the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs and the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development continue to assist the remaining families to ensure no one is left without shelter.
This was confirmed by Minister for Housing Maciu Nalumisa in Parliament in response to a question from Opposition MP Parveen Bala about land identification for Nabua PRB tenants who were issued a 100-day eviction notice.
Nalumisa says engineers have certified the six remaining blocks, housing 144 tenants, as structurally unsafe, with most buildings now over 50 years old.
He says PRB has held two consultations with the tenants to raise awareness about the risks of staying in the deteriorating structures, and the Board has also carried out socio-economic assessments to determine the financial capacity of each household and explore alternative housing options.
So far, seven families have been relocated to the Housing Assistance and Relief Trust (HART) homes, while four others have applied for Housing Authority lots and homes.
Nine families have opted to return to or be relocated to their villages, and 14 households have been moved to other PRB flats within Suva.
Nalumisa says the Ministry is currently identifying two pieces of land in Koronivia, Nausori and Veivauceva in Tacirua to support the relocation process.
He adds a budget of $2.2 million has been allocated for the development of this land.
The Minister reaffirmed that the government’s priority is to ensure a safe transition for all affected tenants.
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