The Government of Fiji has announced an expansion of its Rural Housing Assistance (RHA) Programme, aimed at enhancing access to safe, affordable, and resilient housing for rural and maritime communities. This initiative is designed to assist families residing in villages, rural settlements, urban areas, and maritime islands, ensuring that vulnerable groups gain the support they need.
The RHA Programme focuses on first-time homeowners, households affected by natural disasters, and families seeking home upgrades to improve safety and living conditions. Special emphasis is placed on assisting vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, individuals with disabilities, women, and children.
Under the RHA, various housing schemes have been established to meet diverse community needs. Scheme one allows residents from rural and maritime regions to purchase building materials valued at a minimum of $30,000, with the government covering transportation costs, facilitating access to essential resources.
Scheme two operates on a cost-sharing basis, where applicants contribute one-third of the project costs. The government then finances the remaining two-thirds, which can be allocated to new constructions, extensions, cyclone-resilient retrofitting, and the completion of partially constructed homes.
Scheme three leverages locally sourced timber, encouraging villages and communal groups to contribute materials, with support from the government in collaboration with the Ministry of Forestry and Habitat for Humanity Fiji. This fosters community involvement in housing projects.
Finally, scheme four targets the most vulnerable populations by fully funding housing for individuals such as people with disabilities, single mothers, senior citizens, and social welfare recipients, ensuring that homes are designed to be disability-friendly.
This expansion of the RHA Programme is part of the Government’s extensive efforts to improve living standards, enhance disaster resilience, and promote dignified housing solutions for families in rural and maritime areas of Fiji. By focusing on these initiatives, the government is laying the groundwork for stronger, more resilient communities in the face of ongoing challenges.