Twenty-five percent of Fiji’s population resides in informal settlements within several towns and two cities. Maciu Nalumisa, the Minister for Housing and Community Development, reported that this data was derived from an assessment of over 250 informal settlements across the nation.
The Ministry is working with various partners to facilitate urgent improvements in these settlements while also planning to conduct surveys to better understand the living conditions of the residents. This initiative aims to identify individuals who are financially capable of purchasing land and transitioning out of informal settlements.
Nalumisa emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring that all Fijians have access to safe, adequate, and affordable housing, along with essential services while revitalizing informal settlements in Fiji.
For the fiscal year 2023-2024, a funding allocation of $1 million has been approved, with an additional $1 million earmarked for the 2024-2025 budget. The Ministry is also pursuing institutional reforms by reviewing the 2011 National Housing Policy to better address the complexities arising from rapid urban growth and enhance land development planning.
Furthermore, Nalumisa cautioned Fijians against purchasing properties in informal settlements. This warning follows a recent case involving an individual who acquired a home in such a settlement for $10,000 in cash without any formal ownership documentation. The original landowner later disputed the sale, claiming ignorance of the transaction and demanding that the buyer vacate the property.
The Ministry urged potential homebuyers to be extremely cautious when considering properties in informal settlements. Residents in these areas may face sudden evictions, putting them at risk for significant financial loss and displacement. These settlements frequently lack access to essential services such as electricity, water, and sanitation, which can adversely affect the residents’ quality of life and health.
The Ministry reported numerous instances of unsuspecting homebuyers who have invested considerable amounts of money in properties within these informal settlements only to be denied ownership and evicted later. As a result, they advise prospective buyers to focus on acquiring properties in established, legally recognized neighborhoods.
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