Cheap housing must not risk lives

Fiji's Ministry of Housing has stressed that the pursuit of affordable housing must not come at the expense of people's health and safety. This stance was articulated during submissions to the Standing Committee on Social Affairs regarding the proposed Public Health Amendment Bill 2026.

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The Ministry supports the updated definition of common lodging house, particularly its recognition of affordable accommodation. However, we also respectfully recommend that this definition be cross-referenced with the Fair Rents Act and the Housing Act. Our concern is that the term affordable accommodation should not unintentionally permit substandard or overcrowded living conditions.

Permanent Secretary for Housing Manasa Lesuma stated the Ministry backs the updated definition of a common lodging house, particularly its acknowledgment of affordable accommodation. However, the Ministry recommended cross-referencing this definition with the Fair Rents Act and the Housing Act. "Our concern is that the term affordable accommodation should not unintentionally permit substandard or overcrowded living conditions," Lesuma noted.

Aligning the legislation, Lesuma explained, would offer clearer guidance and ensure all parties understand their responsibilities. "A clear legislative link with the relevant housing laws would promote consistent standards and assist enforcement agencies, property owners and residents to understand their respective obligations," he said.

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A clear legislative link with the relevant housing laws would promote consistent standards and assist enforcement agencies, property owners and residents to understand their respective obligations.

National WASH Coordinator Toga Vosataki added that the expanded definition aims to enhance oversight of accommodations susceptible to disease outbreaks. "We do agree... that meaning cheap might also mean that it has, you know, some effects on the way that health and sanitation is being upheld in this type of accommodation," Vosataki stated. He highlighted that poor sanitation and overcrowding in areas like laborers' quarters can accelerate the spread of infectious diseases, and the proposed amendments would provide authorities with the necessary legal framework to ensure these facilities meet acceptable public health standards.

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We do agree to what the Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Housing has alluded to, that meaning cheap might also mean that it has, you know, some effects on the way that health and sanitation is being upheld in this type of accommodation. So, this is something that the bill proposes to enforce.