SUVA, June 30 (Xinhua) -- Fiji's Ministry of Housing has launched three initiatives aimed at boosting affordable housing in Fiji.
The three initiatives are the Housing Authority Model Homes, the Village Housing Loan Scheme, and the further reduction of lending interest rates, according to local media on Sunday.
Under the Housing Authority Model Homes initiative, a project has been launched for the construction of 150 homes at the Nepani subdivision in Nasinu, a heavily populated area.
The Village Housing Loan has been reintroduced after over 10 years, aiming to assist those in rural and maritime regions on Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, as well as other islands.
This includes the construction of new homes, renovation and upgrade of existing homes, and the construction and upgrade of community halls and evacuation centers.
The third initiative, Housing Authority, aims to reduce lending interest rates in the 2025-2026 financial year.
Launching the initiatives, Minister for Housing Maciu Nalumisa said this is part of the government's broader commitment to alleviating the housing crisis in the island nation.
He added that the ministry's submission for the upcoming financial year focuses on addressing the issue of squatter settlements and providing more affordable and safe housing.
Thousands of Fijians are living in informal squatter settlements across the country as rapid urbanization, poverty, and a complex land tenure system continue to push vulnerable families to the margins of society. ■
