It is encouraging to know that 36 residents of Jittu Estate informal settlement in Suva now have offer letters to move into the Lagilagi Public Rental Board flats, marking a step toward improved living conditions and more secure housing. That’s the way to go. In fact, it is something many people want.

Let’s face it. People want employment. They want food on the table and a roof over their heads. They want a home.

That is not always easy to achieve though, judging by how things have unfolded over the years.

People want the good things in life.

They want the peace of mind and stability that come with owning a home. Understandably, there are many factors connected to that dream.

Owning a home requires hard work. The systems and processes in place should ideally support and encourage that journey. They should empower people.

Unfortunately, that has not always been the experience for many families.

This week, Minister for Housing and Local Government Maciu Nalumisa spoke in Parliament about Government’s efforts to expand affordable housing and promote home ownership. He spoke about the importance of helping people transition into secure tenancy arrangements that would significantly improve their living conditions.

Government, he said, is working with the Housing Authority of Fiji and the Public Rental Board to strengthen housing opportunities for low and middle-income earners.

Expanding the supply of affordable housing, he said, continues to be a national priority, particularly for those seeking safe, secure and sustainable places to live.

Mr Nalumisa also noted that the Public Rental Board was continuing to expand its housing options. Plans include the construction of additional units at the Lagilagi Housing Estate to accommodate more families in need of proper housing. The board, he said, is planning to build 157 additional units at Lagilagi as part of efforts to widen housing options for tenants. He also pointed out that long-term tenants were being given opportunities to purchase homes they had occupied for decades.

Earlier this year, offer letters were issued for flats in Kalabu and Makoi, giving tenants the chance to buy properties they had rented for more than 35 years.

These are positive steps. For many families, the opportunity to move from uncertain living conditions to secure housing can be life-changing.

We say the conversation about housing must also reflect concerns raised in the past.

Back in August 2020, questions were raised about whether some housing developments were truly reaching low and middle-income earners. During a public inquiry consultation in Nadi, Ifereimi Waqasisi shared concerns after purchasing a lot at the Tacirua subdivision in Suva.

He expressed confusion at the time about the types of homes being built on land allocated to people classified as low and middle-income earners. According to him, some of the houses appeared far more expensive than expected, raising doubts about whether the allocation process was reaching those who needed it most. His concern was that many hardworking families struggled to secure land or property, while others with greater means seemed able to access these opportunities. At the time, the inquiry committee chairwoman and CEO of the Consumer Council of Fiji, Seema Shandil, acknowledged the concerns and said the issues raised would be examined.

Today, as we reflect on Mr Nalumisa’s statement in Parliament, there is hope that lessons from such concerns are taken into account.

Housing initiatives must prioritise those who are genuinely in need. Systems must be fair, transparent and accountable so that public trust is maintained. There is no doubt the challenge is complex. Yet the goal must be clear.

Affordable homes must be within reach of ordinary families. That means policies that genuinely support low and middle-income earners, and institutions that work to empower people to become homeowners.

When government agencies and housing authorities work together effectively, they can open doors that once seemed out of reach.

For many families, owning a home represents security, dignity and hope for the future.