Single mothers and low-income residents of Public Rental Board flats on Mead Road, Nabua in Suva are expressing significant anxiety over a recent relocation process that leaves them in search of affordable housing alternatives. With limited financial resources, many tenants are struggling to secure new homes within the short timeframe provided by PRB, citing that private rentals are simply out of reach.
Silika Ciba, a 63-year-old single mother, voiced her concerns, stating, “I don’t have a stable job and I have two children. My children only get casual jobs, enough for food and rent. I don’t know how or where we will move to now.” Some residents have lived in the flats for more than 30 years, having spent much of their lives raising families there.
Tenants also reported enduring long-standing maintenance issues with the flats, alleging that repair work was frequently delayed and that they were occasionally required to purchase materials themselves while only receiving labor from PRB. This situation has added strain to their already stretched finances, especially with rising living costs and school expenses looming.
“Where will we go, how will we pay to move?” asked Kelera Vuna, another single mother, highlighting the precarious situation many find themselves in. Some residents have applied for transfers to other PRB estates or vacant flats but remain uncertain about the status of their requests. They also expressed frustration over a lack of clear information regarding government assistance that had been promised to help with their relocation.
Timoci Naleba, general manager of PRB, acknowledged the tenants’ concerns, emphasizing that the government’s priority is to ensure safety and fairness across housing estates. “Most if not all tenants are iTaukei with relatives, so they can seek temporary shelters,” he assured, while also stressing PRB’s responsibility to allocate housing for younger families currently living in inadequate conditions.
Naleba noted that tenants have been paying low rent for years, allowing them a larger disposable income to invest and potentially purchase property. He maintains that the relocation process is designed with an understanding of the broader demand for social housing, indicating a systematic approach to address the needs of the community.
The ongoing dialogue around this situation highlights the challenges faced by low-income families in securing stable housing and the potential for community support and resources to alleviate their burden. As the residents navigate this transition, the hope remains that solutions will be found to provide them with the security they need.
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