Some prospective homeowners wait for over 10 years for plot allotment by Housing Authority

Housing Authority CEO Robert Sen says they have failed the customers after concerns were raised by people during the Public Inquiry Consultation about having to wait for plot allotment for over ten years, the fees prospective home buyers have to pay, the various processes they have to go through and a lottery system to get a property.

About 100 people attended the consultation at Rishikul Sanatan College last night.

Narere resident, Subhag Wati says she has been waiting for the Housing Authority's response for almost 15 years.

She says she has been checking with the Authority every month but has given up on her dream to own a property.

Another concerned complainant, Ronay Ray says he has given the Authority $175 for the application process and deposit.

He says an officer had shown him a plot of land on Khalsa Road but when he later went to inspect the plot, he saw another person building a house on the same plot.

Mohammed Shaheen, who has been renting for the last 25 years, says he first applied for a plot in 2009 but has been informed at least 3 times that his application has been misplaced and they must apply again.

He also says the staff at the Authority also informed him of a lottery system.

Responding to questions by Fijivillage about customers having to wait for over 10 years to get an allotment, Housing Authority CEO Robert Sen says this could have been because of governance issues and the Authority will look into the matter.

He says the rate of lots being developed by the Authority is slow and they are looking into this issue so that they increase the supply of property lots.

He says he will have to look at the complaints regarding the payments customers made on a case by case basis.

Sen adds the payments could have been for the loan application fees.

The CEO has also confirmed that Housing Authority has no lottery system but it could mean the selection criteria for the land allotment, however, his team has taken down the concerns and will check on this.

The team will be at Vunimono High School tonight and in Labasa in the weekend.

The report is expected to completed by the end of this month.