Overcrowding in informal settlements is pushing individuals onto the streets, according to Lynda Tabuya, the Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection. In an interview with The Fiji Times’ online news portal, The Lens@177, she explained that the government is collaborating with faith-based organizations and other agencies to provide affordable housing and support for street dwellers.
Tabuya emphasized that the issue of street dwelling is connected to the high population density in informal and squatter settlements, where multiple families often share a single home. She stated, “You’ll see two, three to four families in a home. The government provides direct support in terms of financial assistance, but these homes are overcrowded. When we spoke to some of the street dwellers, particularly the men, they indicated that there’s no space back home.”
Many of these individuals expressed a desire for their wives and children to remain at home, stating that they did not want to be a burden, which has led them to live on the streets. This situation reflects broader issues of poverty.
To address the crisis, Tabuya reaffirmed the government’s commitment to developing affordable housing, particularly for the most vulnerable populations. She indicated that the Ministry of Housing, alongside the Ministry of Finance, is working on a nationwide affordable housing scheme, aiming to construct thousands of homes for those in need.