Owning a home remains a challenge for many young families, while high rental costs continue to make affordable housing difficult for many.
During fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan, it was highlighted that in Suva, people are lucky if they can find a two-bedroom house for about $750 a month, and asked what more could be done at an accelerated level to help average young families.
Responding to this, Minister for Finance Esrom Immanuel acknowledged the challenges, saying the Government is operating under difficult fiscal conditions because of the fuel crisis, limiting its ability to expand housing assistance more quickly.
Immanuel says if the Government had greater fiscal space, affordable housing is an area where support could be significantly strengthened.
He says the Housing Authority has secured a good amount of land in Davuilevu and Nepani for future housing developments.
Insert: Affordability and bank requirements 11th July
The Minister also says part of the long-term solution is working with the Ministry of Lands and the iTaukei Land Trust Board to make more land available for development, particularly outside urban centres where land is readily available.
He says that to address the needs of people living in informal settlements and those who have been displaced, the Housing Authority and the Ministry of Housing will also focus on increasing the country's housing land stock.
Meanwhile, $3 million is allocated to support first home buyers in the 2026-2027 Budget.
$1.3 million has also been allocated for the Relocation and Resettlement of Informal Settlements.
These projects will assist the Ministry of Housing to undertake civil works for the relocation and resettlement of 1,200 households from Veidogo, Nabua Muslim League and Kilikali to Koronivia and Mokosoi Greenfields.
