Good news for Fijians living with disabilities as they now can apply for the Housing Assistance Program from the Ministry of Housing and Community Development.
This program focuses on improving the accessibility of housing needs of persons living with special needs with a maximum grant of $5,000 to upgrade their homes.
Minister for Housing Premila Kumar says many persons living with special needs will be able to live a normal life if changes were made to their living environment.
She says the assistance will be for the upgrade of their homes such as the installation of ramps, handrails, accessible toilets including the installation of grab bars to allow access to all basic amenities for persons living with special needs.
For a disabled person to apply for this grant, they should be a Fijian Citizen, registered with the Department of Social Welfare, a member of any affiliated organization of the Fiji National Council for Persons with Disability and should not have received any housing assistance before applying for assistance under this program.
Kumar adds the Government has allocated $100,000 for this program in the 2021/2022 National budget and is hopeful that it will continue to receive support moving forward.
The Minister says this demonstrates the Government’s commitments towards the most vulnerable Fijians in the community as they want to ensure that they are prepared both mentally and physically towards their role in the community as well as work environment.
Applications forms are available on the Ministry website and also from the Offices of the Divisional Commissioners, Provisional Administrators, Ministry of Housing and Community Development and the Fiji National Council for Persons with Special Needs.
Those applicants who find it difficult to meet the labour costs will also be assisted through the Ministry’s carpentry team. Applicants will need to request for this and approval will be granted only after a thorough review by the Ministry.
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