News

Housing Ministry to conduct test

May 25, 2019 4:40 pm

The Housing Ministry will conduct a means test to determine the financial situations of residents whose settlements are being formalized into proper subdivisions.

Speaking to residents of Lovu, Tomuka and Delaisaweni in Lautoka – Minister responsible, Premila Kumar says the means test would assist them to determine eligibility for receiving leases.

Kumar says in other subdivisions, people rent out houses and own properties outside – while having a home in the settlement for free.

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“It shows the greed of some people. A means will be conducted to determine who really needs houses, so that people who really need a place do get a place. And this is to not encourage land-grabbing.”

The Government has acquired a development lease in Lovu and completed a scheme plan, with houses in the development lease numbered.

The Ministry will be liaising with the TLTB to determine homes that sit on reserved Native land, and thus are not included in the development lease, in these settlements.

The Government has acquired 43 development leases out of some 250 informal settlements around the country.