THE Housing Authority (HA) has announced the continuation of its housing development work on its 162-acre land parcel in Tacirua Stage 2 outside Suva.
The land, it said in a statement, was acquired from the iTaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB) in 2004, with residential development commencing from 2010.
“Housing Authority completed development of 120 acres of land comprising three phases, which produced 786 lots delivered from 2013 to 2017,” it stated.
“The fourth phase, known as Phase 2, was on hold due to the prolonged court proceedings with the Namara sitting tenants’ families since 2013. The Authority has now resumed civil works on the balance land of 42 acres at the Tacirua Stage 2 subdivision, with a delivery plan of 297 new residential fully serviced lots by December 2026.”
It said the court proceedings against informal settlers on its land had been successfully resolved through an out-of-court settlement that they had agreed to.
“Under the terms of settlement, arrangements were made for the relocation of the remaining 15 Namara sitting tenants,” HA stated.
“The families were relocated with assistance from the Authority, enabling them to relocate to the land they had identified.
“The Ministry of Housing and TLTB also facilitated the relocation process by providing alternative sites for the families.
“Two of the listed sitting tenants declined to accept the settlement and continue to be in unlawful occupation of the land.
“To this effect, the High Court, by Order dated April 25, 2025, has issued an Eviction Order against the said illegal occupants.”
HA said it had recorded 173 sitting tenants during a survey it conducted in 2008.
In 2009, 123 sitting tenants relocated to Sasawira and Davuilevu.
HA had further helped 35 sitting tenants in 2013 to move to the location they had identified, while in 2024, it agreed to an out-of-court settlement for the remaining 15 sitting tenants.
“The arrangements are similar to those accorded to the sitting tenant families assisted in 2009 and 2013,” it stated.
HA is a Government-funded agency mandated to provide of affordable homes to Fijians and this, according to its acting chief executive officer Poasa Verevakabau, will remain the focus of its commitment.
“Despite the challenges and with Government assistance and assistance from financial institutions, we remain committed to delivering an affordable housing package for middle to low-income earners,” he said.
“The Housing Authority acknowledges the landowners and all stakeholders for their role in making affordable home ownership a reality.”
HA had revised its home loan interest rates downwards early this month to include:
2.00 per cent per annum fixed for five years and 4.00 per cent per annum variable thereafter for household income of below $30,000, and,
3.50 per cent per annum fixed for five years with 6.00 per cent per annum variable thereafter for household income of $30,000 to $50,000.
Note: This article was first published on the print version of the Fiji Times dated August 25, 2025