Cabinet has approved significant revisions to the First Home Ownership Initiative Policy, which will introduce a 10-year caveat on the resale of properties acquired through the grant, beginning 1 August 2025. This caveat is designed to prevent beneficiaries from selling their homes within the first decade of ownership, aiming to deter speculation and ensure that the assistance targets genuine first-time homebuyers instead of short-term investors.
Additionally, the government, in collaboration with the Housing Authority, is inviting first-home buyers with household incomes of $50,000 or less to apply for affordable and sustainable housing options. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to acquire two-bedroom homes located in designated developments at Nepani, Tacirua, and Davuilevu in the Central Division, as well as Tavakubu Phase 2 in the Western Division.
In a further effort to support low-income families, Cabinet has also established the First Home Grant Assistance Category 1 Tier 1 Programme. This initiative will provide additional resources to families who have been evicted from informal settlements such as Veidogo, Nabua Muslim League, and Kilikali, offering them a chance to secure Housing Authority loans. The programme will be managed jointly by the Ministry of Housing and the Housing Authority, with plans for potential extension to include more eligible settlements in the future.
The introduction of the caveat is part of the government’s strategy to enhance protections surrounding public housing assistance and underscores its commitment to fostering long-term home ownership for low-income families in Fiji. This initiative reflects a positive step towards empowering first-time buyers while ensuring the sustainability and integrity of the housing market.