Fiji’s National Budget 2016-2017 has allocated $0.5 million towards a social housing policy initiative. This policy targets clients who have paid over 1.5 times the principal loan after deducting fees and charges and who are retired, medically unfit, mentally disabled, unemployed or have low income. According to the National Budget Supplement, some 56 households benefited from the scheme from 2013 to 2015.
The budget has also set aside $2.5 million for the Matavolivoli Development Project in Nadi. This will oversee the completion of land development in the area, including roads, water supply, sewerage, power transmission and supply works. The project aims to oversee the development of new subdivisions to provide affordable housing to low and middle- income earners.
The First Home Buyers program is being provided $10 million in funding under the national budget. The program provides financial assistance to first-time home -buyers and builders earning less than $50,000 per annum.
“From 2014 to 2015, a total number of 448 applicants were assisted, of which 202 bought their first homes, while 246 built their first homes,” the budget supplement noted.
Additionally, a program providing housing assistance to fire victims has been allocated $0.5 million. This is part of efforts to provide financial assistance to families affected by fire and earning less than $20,000 per annum with proper leases but with no insurance. It was noted that seven households affected by infernos in early 2015 received $5,000 under this program.