Shelter is a fundamental human need, so naturally, housing affordability and accessibility is a major issue and the Government will work to strengthen collaboration with the private and public sectors to improve the standard of housing in Fiji.
This was highlighted by the Assistant Minister for Housing and Local Government, Lenora Qereqeretabua in her speech in parliament today.
She says the Housing Authority continues to provide housing assistance to low and middle-income earning families, first-time house owners, fire-affected families and people living with disabilities and upgrading informal settlements.
The Minister says it is no surprise that the housing sector continues to face challenges that impact their roles as service providers.
She adds the demand for housing is increasing however there is not enough supply to meet it.
Qereqeretabua says their ultimate goal is improving the lives of all Fijians and aims to increase access to affordable and quality housing for low and middle-earning income families.
She further says the ministry will be realigning the strategies to address the challenges the housing sector faces.
Qereqeretabua says the upgrade of informal settlements will continue for 12 settlements, 4 in the central division, 7 in the western division and 1 in the Northern division.
The Minister says the government’s priority is to issue the 99-year lease to the three informal settlements that have been upgraded this year and for the 451 households that have been living in the hope for land tenure and security for a long time.
She says there is a lot of work to be done and they hope that both sides of the house will work together for the betterment of the people of Fiji.
