Housing affordability remains a major national challenge: Minister Nalumisa

Housing availability and affordability remain serious challenges for many Fijian families, Parliament heard.

Responding to the President’s address in Parliament yesterday, Minister for Housing Maciu Nalumisa said the Government was responding through policy reforms and investment to improve access to housing.

“Housing availability and affordability remain serious national challenges.”

He said the Ministry of Housing was working to address the issue through targeted initiatives.

“However, the Ministry of Housing is responding decisively through targeted policy reforms, sustained infrastructure investment and strong institutional partnership to increase supply, improve planning and make home ownership, and secure tenures more attainable for families.”

Mr Nalumisa said housing was central to inclusive national development.

“Housing is the foundation of dignity, stability and opportunity for every Fijian family and is central to inclusive development.”

Government initiatives

Mr Nalumisa said over the next five years, including the 2026 delivery, the Housing Authority plans to deliver a total of 1,463 housing units and 4,356 serviced lots.

"This amounts to 5,819 housing opportunities, significantly strengthening the national housing supply and ensuring that the Authority’s immediate delivery is fully aligned with its long-term expansion strategy.

"Mr Speaker, Sir, as part of its innovation in housing delivery, Housing Authority has also introduced the construction of Model Homes using prefabricated and steel construction materials, marking the first time such technology has been adopted in its history.

"Earlier this year 2026, a total of 101 model homes were awarded through a Call for Expression of Interest, ensuring a transparent and inclusive selection process. The construction of these Model Homes has been tendered, and a thorough process has been undertaken to ensure good governance when awarding these contracts."

Government increasing funding to upgrade informal settlements

The Government has increased funding for informal settlement upgrades as part of efforts to improve living conditions for vulnerable families, MP M.K. Nalumisa says.

Mr Nalumisa said upgrading settlements and providing secure land tenure remained a key priority.

“A key priority for the Ministry is upgrading informal settlements and the provision of secure tenure for families who have lived for decades without certainty of land ownership or access to basic services.”

He said funding had increased steadily over the past three years.

“To sustain this progress, this Government has consistently increased budgetary allocations for the Informal Settlement Upgrading Programme.”

He outlined the allocations made over the past three financial years.

“With $10,000,000 in the 2023–2024 financial year, $13.4 million in the 2024–2025 financial year and $14.6 million in the 2025–2026 financial year.”

Mr Nalumisa said the combined investment totalled $38 million.

“Altogether, this represents a total of $38 million for the three financial years.”