FORMALISING LOT ALLOCATION POLICIES IN PROGRESS, SAYS KATAMOTU

‘If there are any changes that need to be made we will need to review that and ensure that the correct changes are put into place’

The Ministry of Housing is in the process of formalising lot allocation policies for the informal settlement.

This was outlined in The People’s Alliance manifesto under Chapter 17 stating: “Work towards formalising the ownership of the well-developed settlements, subdivisions and squatter areas.”

Minister for Housing and Local Government Maciu Katamotu said affordable housing was paramount.

“We are trying to formalise lot allocation policies for the informal settlement, it is something we are working on right now. Like I said if there are any changes that need to be made we will need to review that and ensure that the correct changes are put into place,” Mr Katamotu said.

“Affordable housing is paramount and the main objective as far as provision of housing to all Fijians.

“When we talk about affordable housing, you are looking at the cost of development, cost of construction and there are some things that we need to address with relevant stakeholders that we can come up with practical solutions, housing models so that we can achieve the objective of providing affordable housing to all Fijians.” Mr Katamotu said the First Home Ownership Initiative and the First Land Purchase Grant would continue.

“The current policies that we have will have to continue because it has been approved. If there are any changes to the policy or criteria in terms of that, we will be able to do it when it comes to that,” he said.

“We have to also try and come up with new initiatives that we believe will improve our services. In the provision of affordable housing, we also have to ensure that all our stakeholders deserve the best service from the ministry.”

About initiative

The First Home Ownership Initiative was launched in 2014 to provide affordable and quality housing for all Fijians and increasing home ownership across the country, for low and middle-income earners. The initiative started with a $10,000 assistance to Fijians with an annual household income of $50,000 below who were constructing their first home.

In 2018, this was further expanded by increasing the first home grant to $15,000 and introducing the first land purchase grant of $10,000 for those Fijians purchasing their first residential land.