A member of Fiji’s Standing Committee on Social Affairs has raised concerns that the nation’s informal settlements may escalate into a national crisis unless addressing affordable housing is made a priority. During a recent committee hearing, Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports Aliki Bia shared his personal experiences growing up in a settlement, underscoring that housing issues have persisted for many years due to a lack of focus from both the government and Parliament.
Bia emphasized the need for stronger initiatives to expand affordable housing options for Fijians. He remarked, “I have a Melanesian background; this is a generational issue. Growing up, we thought that it is right living in this illegal settlement. But I think awareness and in terms of education need to go down right to our education level to educate our students that you need to build proper housing.”
Public Sector Housing official Manasa Lesuma acknowledged these concerns and agreeing that previous efforts have been largely reactive due to the shortage of available housing. He highlighted the importance of raising awareness in schools about the significance of proper housing, stating that the team would explore how to integrate this message into school programs.
Lesuma indicated that new initiatives to support home ownership are in progress, some of which are pending Cabinet approval. “We have been directed through Cabinet to come up with a resettlement, relocation, and resettlement program for the next five to ten years for the informal settlements. So that is also the work that we are doing,” he noted.
Plans are being developed for a comprehensive strategy that aims to provide secure land tenure and long-term solutions for informal settlements in collaboration with the iTaukei Land Trust Board and the Ministry of Lands. This approach is a crucial step towards ensuring stable housing for many Fijians and reflects a commitment to tackling longstanding housing challenges. The government’s proactive stance offers hope for improved living conditions and an enhanced quality of life for those currently living in informal settlements.