AN architect has called for the implementation of an interest-free home ownership scheme to assist low income earners.
Ashok Balgovind and Associates managing director Ashok Balgovind said having witnessed the social degradation in Suva’s Raiwaqa and Raiwasa communities, the Public Rental Board has to get out of the idea of letting houses out on rent.
“They should get into the idea of selling very low-cost buildings, selling them to the owners,” Mr Balgovind said, adding that people living under rent conditions “are alienated, they come from all different parts of Fiji and there’s no sense of community”.
Mr Balgovind proposed that homes could be sold at extremely low to no interest.
“So, basically if the house costs, say, $10,000, the person will be paying about $20 a month for 25 years and at the end of that time they’ll own it.
“The point is, $20 a month is half a carton of beer. It’s two packets of cigarettes.”
Housing Minister Maciu Nalumisa said there was a new rent-to-own policy which was recently put in place by the PRB, and that the Government was trying to promote home ownership.
“We are discouraging people from renting,” he said.
“If you look across these rental board estates, most families have been renting for a while.”
Mr Nalumisa cited an example of one family in particular that had been renting for 33 years which he said was about three generations renting the same property.
“So, we are trying to change that mindset.
“We are telling people if you want to buy the flat that you have been staying in for seven years, you have the liberty to apply for that.
“I think some flats have been offered to those that have been living on those properties for so long, so while they are renting, you are also paying the purchase price for that particular flat.
“So, for the next 10 or 20 years you will be able to acquire another flat that you will be renting.”
