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36 Families Get New Homes

A New Hope: 36 Families Embrace Affordable Housing in Suva

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After 15 years of living in the Jittu Estate informal settlement outside Suva, Ratu Serevi Batinitabua, along with his family, has finally found a place to call home. They are among 36 families receiving newly-built residential units at the Lagilagi Housing Estate. The official opening of these units was marked by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, who highlighted the government’s commitment to addressing the housing crisis facing low-income families.

Previously, Ratu Serevi’s family had unsuccessfully applied for affordable housing through the now-de-registered People’s Community Network NGO. They, like many others, faced challenges in their old living conditions, which lacked basic utilities like power and were plagued by safety concerns due to rising crime rates.

Another family, Shayal and Ravi Prasad, also transitioned from a nearby squatter settlement after dealing with issues of water supply and landslide damage. They expressed their gratitude upon receiving an offer for one of the new housing units.

Prime Minister Rabuka commended the Public Rental Board (PRB) and the government for completing the 36 unfinished housing units amid a climate of escalating prices and a pressing need for affordable housing. He reaffirmed the Coalition Government’s dedication to addressing the shortage of housing throughout the nation, particularly for those in low-income brackets.

However, the timeline for when these families can move into their new homes remains uncertain, as the rental offers are provisional and depend on the Cabinet’s approval of a rent-to-own policy.

The Lagilagi Housing Project, initiated in 2009 in collaboration with the People’s Community Network, aims to create 153 affordable housing units, underscoring a significant effort to support those in need of secure and safe housing.

This development symbolizes hope for families previously facing insecurity and instability, offering them a chance for a better and more stable future. It also highlights the importance of government initiatives in addressing critical social issues, particularly in the context of rising living costs.

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