Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad [right] with Acting Housing Minister Filimoni Vosarogo [second from right]
In a bid to address the urgency of affordable housing and informal settlements, Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad unveiled an ambitious public-private partnership plan to deliver affordable and climate-resilient housing solutions.
Prasad says access to affordable housing represents a major challenge for low- and middle-income households.
The Minister of Finance also said that banks have supported the concept and are willing to finance all categories of families earning between $10,000 and $50,000.
He adds that the government aims to increase the supply of climate-resilient housing with the aim of eliminating squatters or informal settlements within the next 10 years.
“Six have already been booked in Davuilevu, Nepani, Wainibuku, Raiwaqa in the Central Division and one each in Lautoka Tavakubu and Tavua with a total domain of 266 acres to expand the first pilot project, which is expected to supply about 3,000 homes. It will be climate-resilient.
The acting Minister of Housing, Filimoni Vosarogo, sees this as a great opportunity for those who have been dreaming of owning a property for a long time.
“We urge Fijians to view these housing projects with positivity, as this will be something that will not only improve the functionality of our economy and the way contractors and subcontractors will engage, but much more than that. “
Yesterday, the call for tenders for a public-private partnership for the transfer of affordable housing was presented.