Overcrowding in informal settlements is prompting individuals to seek refuge on the streets, according to Lynda Tabuya, the Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection. In an interview with The Fiji Times’ online news platform The Lens@177, she emphasized that the government is collaborating with faith-based organizations and other entities to offer affordable housing and support for those living on the streets.
Tabuya noted the significant issue of overcrowding in informal and squatter settlements, where multiple families often share a single home. She revealed that many men who end up living on the streets reported a lack of space at home, stating that they would rather let their families stay in the house without feeling like a burden. This situation is intricately linked to poverty.
To address this urgent issue, Tabuya affirmed the government’s commitment to constructing affordable housing, particularly for the most disadvantaged. She highlighted that the Ministry of Housing, along with the Ministry of Finance, is actively working on a nationwide affordable housing scheme aimed at building thousands of homes for the population.