THIRTY-ONE families from settlements between Navua and Tailevu are now homeowners after receiving the keys to their new houses at the Housing Authority’s Nepani subdivision yesterday.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka officiated at the handover ceremony, describing the occasion as an important milestone for the families moving into their new homes.
“We want the children to grow up in a good home and safe parenting from father and mother,” Mr Rabuka said.
“It is a great privilege to be here today to hand over the keys to 31 Fijian families who will become proud homeowners here at Housing Authority’s Nepani subdivision.”
Mr Rabuka also revealed that Housing Minister Maciu Nalumisa visited New Zealand to study a housing initiative that repurposes leftover building materials to construct homes for vulnerable communities.
He said the minister returned convinced the model could be adapted for Fiji and that the approach had been incorporated into the new homes.
Mr Nalumisa told this newspaper the project formed part of a broader effort by Government and the Housing Authority to expand home ownership through affordable housing.
“This is part of the government as well as Housing Authority’s initiative to promote home ownership through affordable housing,” he said.
“For a long time at the national level some state housing agencies have been trying to think of strategies to promote ownership.”
Mr Nalumisa said affordability had been a key focus of the development, with the project using technology to reduce housing costs.
He said 28 of the 31 families who received homes had household incomes of less than $30,000 a year, reflecting the program’s focus on lower-income earners.
“In the long term, it’s going to benefit a lot of people in Fiji.”
