A $53.8million housing project by the Housing Authority of Fiji is now underway in Veikoba, Delaivalelevu, Nasinu, covering over 118 acres.
The announcement was made by Minister for Housing and Local Government, Maciu Nalumisa, during the ground-breaking ceremony for the subdivision saying 640 fully serviced residential lots are expected to be built as part of this initiative.
“The Government of Fiji is committed to increasing first-time homeowners and reducing the number of informal settlements over the next decade,” Mr Nalumisa said.
“Through strategic partnerships, the Housing Authority and other stakeholders are working to develop more residential land, making housing units more affordable and accessible particularly for households with a combined annual income of $50,000 and below.”
The Veikoba Development Project, spanning 118 acres, is part of a larger plan covering 266 acres across six sites in the Central and Western divisions, including Nepani, Wainibuku, Raiwaqa, Tavakubu, Lautoka and Tavua.
The pilot projects are expected to deliver approximately 3000 climate-resilient, green and Category 5-compliant housing units.
The subdivision will feature single-storey row homes, with future plans for two- and three-bedroom design-and-build houses, complete with essential infrastructure such as roads, water supply and electricity.
Additional amenities include a Civic Lot, Commercial Lots and a Social Housing Lot to foster a balanced and connected community.
Spokesperson for the landowners of Veikoba, Setareki Qaliduadua said they faced challenges in getting this specific project started, including legal battles with tenants who had been living on the land through verbal agreements with their elders and refused to leave.
But now that it has started, they say they will focus on ensuring the project proceeds smoothly as it would benefit the current and future generations.
Strong interest in housing scheme – Nalumisa
MORE than 3000 families and individuals have expressed interest in Fiji’s Housing Assistance Scheme.
This, according to Minister for Housing and Local Government Maciu Nalumisa, who said the strong response highlights the public’s need for accessible homeownership options and the government’s ongoing efforts to make housing more attainable for ordinary Fijians.
“I think it’s a good model, it’s a good concept because I know it reduces the hassle of people looking for contractors to go and build,” Mr Nalumisa said.
“The guarantee is that they are also building quality homes that meet our local standards, Category 5 cyclone-certified homes.”
He said the scheme was designed to simplify the process for families and individuals searching for land or housing, while ensuring homes built under the program meet safety and durability requirements.
Addressing the requirement for single adults to provide a single status certificate, Mr Nalumisa said it was part of the government’s vetting process to ensure the assistance reaches those who genuinely need it.
“There are families where both couples are working.
“So these are some of the things we check to make sure the process is fair and equitable, and that deserving applicants can access housing or financing support.”
The Rural Housing Assistance (RHA) Programme, managed by the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, supports residents in rural and maritime areas to build or improve their homes.
Under Scheme 2, applicants contribute one-third of the total cost of construction, while the government covers the remaining twothirds.
The program assists with new home construction, extensions, upgrades, and cyclone-resistant retrofitting.
Revamped around 2023–2024, the initiative aims to make rural housing more affordable, resilient, and sustainable, ensuring families in vulnerable areas can access safer living conditions.
