National housing policy under review
THE Fijian Government is reviewing its 10-year-old National Housing Policy which is intended to introduce long-term, resilient housing solutions to all Fijians.
This was according to Minister for Local Government, Housing and Community Development, Premila Kumar during the Pacific Impact Webinar Series on ‘Achieving longterm climate change resilience for the Pacific SIDS Post COVID-19” on Wednesday.
“TC Yasa completely destroyed over 2100 homes and 5800 homes were partially destroyed,” she said.
“TC Ana and TD Bina left extensive damages to Fiji’s infrastructure and agriculture due to flooding.
“Close to 150,000 Fijians were affected by TCs Yasa and Ana and losses ran in excess of $500 million.”
Mrs Kumar also said the frequent and increasing occurrence of natural disasters had a major impact on the housing sector, especially those living in the rural and maritime areas as well as informal settlements.
“In most cases, weak house structures built, using timber, tin and other materials, do not meet the minimum structural standards to withstand even the weakest tropical cyclone.
“To assist Fijians, a Category 4, Engineer Certified house plan has been designed by my ministry.
“This plan is available to all rural and maritime dwellers at no cost,” she said.
This came with engineering drawings and list of materials with proper costing.
“This new design has a ‘core house’ which includes a concrete structure with living room, kitchen and sanitation facilities,” she said.
“In case of an emergency, the living room can be easily converted to a sleeping area and this can be a ‘safe house’ for the family.
“The second component is a timber structure extension, with two bedrooms separating the core house by a covered breezeway.”
Mrs Kumar said anyone could download this plan and get it endorsed by the municipal councils which would supervise the construction as well as ensure all compliance were met.
The ministry is also working on a government assistance program to encourage rural and maritime dwellers to build their homes to engineer certified standard.
“The assistance will be available to Fijians who wish to upgrade their existing structures to cyclone resilient standards.
“Free assessment and recommendations will be available to those who wish to participate in this retrofitting program.
“Funding options through micro finance programs are also being explored to further assist the rural and maritime dwellers in securing small loans to build back better and stronger.
“The ultimate objective is to increase the level of climate resilience in rural housing with suitable insurance protection in the event of natural disasters,” she said.