Meresiana Wasa of Navaradra Settlement in Taveuni received a life-changing gift from the Government with the provision of a new home.

After losing her husband in a 2018 boat accident, Ms Wasa has raised five children, three with disabilities, on her own.

In 2023, she applied for housing assistance through the Family Assistance Scheme and was handed the keys to her new home on 18 December, by Assistant Minister for Rural and Maritime Development, Jovesa Vocea.

Ms Wasa was one of four beneficiaries to receive homes under the Rural Housing Assistance Programme, which offers affordable housing to rural and maritime communities.

The programme, reassigned to the Rural and Maritime Development in 2023, is targeting to provide safe, resilient and affordable housing, focusing on disaster resilience and improved access to services.

Assistant Minister, Vocea highlighted the programmes goal of delivering homes that can withstand category 5 cyclones and reminded recipients of their responsibility to maintain their homes.

In the Northern Division, 23 RHA projects were completed in the 2023-2024 financial year, totaling $751,278.

The four homes handed over last week cost $101,846.12, with recipients contributing a portion of the costs.

Other recipients included Mereoni Biauniceva, Alena Buinimasi and Pita Salele, who expressed gratitude for the new security their homes provide.

Applications for the RHA Programme are open online or through district offices.

For more information on Rural Housing Assistance members of the public can visit: https://bit.ly/49NFo6I.