3,400 Fijian households have been assisted under the First Home Owners initiative since 2014 – Acting PM

Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Housing and Community Development Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says 3,400 Fijian households have been assisted under the First Home Owners initiative since 2014.

While responding to a question by FijiFirst MP, Joseph Nand who had asked if the Minister can update Parliament on the First Home Buyers Programme, Sayed-Khaiyum says this assistance was to a tune of $36 million.

Sayed-Khaiyum also highlighted that in the 2021-2022 financial year, the $4 million allocated for the initiative has been used as the demand was so high.

The Acting PM also added that $400,000 is currently being vired from another program.

Sayed-Khaiyum further says there are about 40 sites they have identified as informal settlements that need to be formalized.

He adds there are people living in vaka vanua arrangements.

Sayed-Khaiyum says they have identified these areas, negotiated with the landowners and TLTB and paying lease payment even though land has not been developed.