Single mothers and low-income earners living at Public Rental Board flats at Mead Road, Nabua in Suva, said the relocation process has left them anxious as they struggle to find affordable alternatives.
Several tenants said they lacked the financial means to relocate within the short timeframe given by PRB, adding that private rental options were beyond their reach.
Silika Ciba also 63-years-old said: “I don’t have a stable job and I have two children, I am a single mum, my children only get casual jobs, enough for food and rent, I don’t know how or where we will move to now.”
Some tenants said they had lived in the flats for more than 30 years, while others had spent over a decade raising families there.
Tenants also raised concerns about long-standing maintenance issues, claiming repair work was delayed and that, at times, they were asked to buy materials themselves, with PRB only providing labour.
Single mothers said the uncertainty surrounding relocation had placed added pressure on their already limited incomes, particularly with school expenses and rising living costs.
“We survive with the little we can collect from casual jobs, where will we go, how will we pay to move?” said Kelera Vuna.
Some tenants said they had applied to be transferred to other PRB estates or vacant flats but were unsure whether their requests would be approved.
Residents further claimed they were given assurances that government assistance would be provided to help them relocate but said details on financial or housing support remained unclear.
PRB general manager Timoci Naleba said government’s priority was safety and fairness across all housing estates.
“Most if not all tenants are iTaukei with relatives so they can seek temporary shelters,” Mr Naleba said.
“Majority have been living and paying very low rent which means they have more disposable income over the years to invest and purchase a property.”
He added that PRB was responsible for ensuring housing was available to younger families who were currently living in shelters or substandard accommodation, and that the relocation process needed to consider the broader demand for social housing.
