News

Informal settlers to benefit from home owners grant

September 11, 2018 12:45 am

People living in informal settlements after receiving their 99-year lease will qualify to apply for the first home buyer’s scheme.

Housing Minister Parveen Kumar says these settlements will be developed and have electricity, access to clean water and many more amenities not available now.

He says this is in line with the government’s initiative to provide better housing for all Fijians.

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“At the moment, if they want to access government initiatives that has been announced in the budget, they cannot because they do not have a proper lease. That is why, we want Fijians to have access to this scheme so that they can build their houses and improve on the houses.”

The Government has allocated $15 million in the budget for the First Home Owners Buyers Grant.

First time buyers with a joint annual income of less than $30 000 will receive $15,000 towards the construction of their first home and $10 000 in the event they choose to purchase a home.

Families whose joint income is between $50,000 and $100,000 a year, also qualify for the grant assistance for the first time this year, this would be $10,000 to construct a new home and $5 000 towards the purchase of a new home.