[File Photo]

Increasing access to affordable housing is one of the key priorities of the coalition government.

Assistant Minister for Housing Lenora Qereqeretabua says the demand for housing is increasing, but the supply has not been enough.

Qereqeretabua says the Housing Ministry will be carrying out thorough reviews and realigning strategies to address the challenges in the housing sector.

“We will work to strengthen collaboration with the private and public sectors to improve the standard of housing and its affordability for the people of Fiji.”

Qereqeretabua says the informal settlement upgrades will continue for 12 settlements, four in the Central Division, seven in the West, and one in the Northern Division.

She adds that three informal settlements have had the upgrades completed, and this government will make it a priority to ensure that the issuance of the 99-year leases will be done this year for the 451 households that have been living in the hope of land tenure and security for far too long.