THE Housing Authority of Fiji is returning to building homes for the first time in more than 30 years, with its first delivery of 101 model homes carried out through an official barrel draw last week.
The company said the barrel draw for its Nepani Model Homes project represented a major shift in the organisation’s renewed commitment to not only developing land, but also constructing affordable, decent homes for Fijian families.
“After more than three decades, the Housing Authority has resumed building homes again. The 101 model homes at Nepani are just the beginning,” Housing Authority’s chief executive officer Isikeli Navuda said.
“We are committed to expanding this program and providing more families with safe, affordable housing.”
He said the Nepani Model Homes project marked the first phase of Housing Authority’s renewed home-building program and would be followed by more similar housing initiatives planned nationwide, as a strong public response to last year’s Expression of Interest (EOI) call to the Nepani project reflected the growing demand for housing solutions across the country.
“While only 101 homes are being allocated today, we envisage producing up to 400 additional homes by the end of this year,” Mr Navuda said.
“These homes, which will be 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom homes are designed to meet the real needs of families — providing not just shelter, but stability, dignity and a foundation for a better future.”
In addition to the government subsidy through the Housing Assistance Grant, Housing Authority is also subsidising the cost of land and houses to the tune of $2.9m to make the homes affordable to the low-income target market.
The barrel draw, to promote transparency in the allocation of the housing units, was held at the Housing Authority’s head office in Valelevu in the presence of the staff of the Ministry of Housing, Fiji Police Force and selected Housing Authority staff.
101 housing units are now ready under the Housing Authority’s Nepani Model Homes project in Nepani, Nasinu. More units are expected at the end of the year. Picture: HOUSING AUTHORITY OF FIJI/SUPPLIED
