The Public Rental Board is dedicated to addressing challenges in communities through outreach programs and partnerships with various stakeholder organizations.
General Manager Timoci Naleba emphasized that beyond providing affordable housing, the board is committed to resolving issues affecting PRB estates and their residents.
“In terms of community work, housing plays an equally important role,” said Mr. Naleba. “Once you build a house, you build a community.”
He highlighted that the board has implemented significant outreach and awareness programs focused on capacity building and financial literacy, particularly targeting women in all PRB estates.
“We have conducted extensive outreach on capacity building and financial literacy across all our estates,” he stated. “These efforts are aimed specifically at women and mothers to help them start their own businesses, in line with the Government’s encouragement of small enterprises.”
“For the next six months, we will continue to implement and monitor the impact of these outreach initiatives. We have also addressed hygiene and nutrition, inviting experts to speak on these topics, especially concerning living practices related to non-communicable diseases (NCDs).”
Mr. Naleba noted that other organizations, including the police, Save the Children Fiji, and the Fiji Women Crisis Centre, participated in the program to raise awareness on issues like drugs and domestic violence.
“We are witnessing significant problems among our youths, including drug trafficking—though not within our estates, these areas are often used as transit points for drugs,” he explained. “We closely address these issues, particularly those affecting vulnerable groups and women.”
He added that an MOU has been signed with the police to exchange data and information aimed at addressing these issues in the wider community.