Caption: A newly constructed open house in Lekutu, Bua made possible through funding under the Rural Housing Assistance (RHA) Programme.
SUVA – The Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management has made significant progress in the implementation of projects under its revamped Rural Housing Assistance Programme (RHA) in the last financial year.
The Programme was reverted to the Ministry in the 2023-2024 financial year, receiving a budget allocation of $3million.
The revamped RHA Programme is aimed at promoting safe, resilient, adequate, and affordable housing for our rural and maritime dwellers.
“In the 2023/2024 financial year, we were pleased to note that we were able to implement a total of 155 projects across the four divisions. These projects included newly constructed homes, retrofitting, completion works, extensions, and construction of houses for those living with disability,” said Permanent Secretary for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management Mr. Isoa Talemaibua.
“At the moment, we only have an open-house plan measuring 24 x 16, but in this new financial year, we intend to expand our product by including two-bedroom housing plans as well, and termite resistant building for communities in the termite infested areas.”
“Based on the applications we have received, and current projections indicate a strong need on the ground for the RHA Programme to be empowered. This will be our focus in this new financial year. It is important to note that with the limited budget allocation that we receive, we will not be able to assist all applicants at once. While we understand that the revamped RHA Programme is a commitment of the Coalition Government, we would like to assure our rural and maritime dwellers that the Ministry will work to ensure people are assisted accordingly, in line with the requirements and criteria set out in the four housing schemes offered under the Programme,” Mr Talemaibua added.
More information about the programme can be found on the Ministry’s website at: www.ruraldev.gov.fj
