The Cabinet has approved significant changes to the First Home Ownership Initiative Policy, which will introduce a 10-year caveat on properties purchased through the grant, beginning on August 1, 2025. This regulation aims to prevent beneficiaries from selling their homes within the first decade of ownership. The government asserts that this move is designed to deter speculation and ensure that the initiative serves genuine first-home buyers instead of short-term investors.
In addition to this amendment, the Housing Authority is encouraging eligible first-home buyers with a household income of $50,000 or less to apply for affordable housing that is both sustainable and climate-resilient. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to acquire two-bedroom homes in specific developments located in Nepani, Tacirua, and Davuilevu in the Central Division, as well as in Tavakubu Phase 2 in the Western Division.
Furthermore, the Cabinet has sanctioned the creation of the First Home Grant Assistance Category 1 Tier 1 Programme, which will provide additional support to low-income families relocated from the Veidogo, Nabua Muslim League, and Kilikali informal settlements who qualify for Housing Authority loans. This program will be jointly managed by the Ministry of Housing and the Housing Authority, with possibilities for future extensions to other eligible settlements.
The government’s introduction of the caveat is seen as a way to reinforce safeguards surrounding public housing assistance while underscoring its commitment to ensuring long-term home ownership for low-income families in Fiji. These initiatives represent a positive step toward promoting stability and accessibility in the housing market for those who genuinely need it, laying a foundation for sustainable community development.
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