Concerns were voiced during a consultation on the draft national housing policy for 2024-2030 about its potential effects on women in rural regions. Participant Akisi Korodrau emphasized the significance of this issue, especially given her affiliation with the Soqosoqo Vakamarama iTaukei.
She questioned how the policy would benefit women in the community, particularly women who own land and single mothers in rural areas. Korodrau highlighted the challenges related to financial standards and their impact on impoverished women living in villages.
Keith Hornby, a Housing Advisor from the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, addressed these concerns by stating that the draft policy would help evaluate the scope of issues familiar to Korodrau. He noted the importance of understanding and capturing these challenges, particularly regarding existing grant systems for housing development managed by the Ministry of Rural Maritime Development.
Hornby emphasized the need for potential refinements to current policies to ensure that grant support addresses the specific circumstances faced by women, especially single mothers in rural areas. He encouraged a strategic approach that highlights the unique challenges women encounter in housing contexts to ensure adequate support is integrated into the policy.