Families in Tiliva Village, Kadavu, are a step closer to moving into new homes as construction under the Tiliva Village Rural Housing Scheme (Scheme 3) reaches around 70 per cent completion.

The project, delivered through the Government’s Rural Housing Assistance Programme, will provide nine homes for approved families and is expected to be completed by December 2026. The initiative is a collaboration between the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management and the Ministry of Forestry.

The housing project uses timber harvested from the village’s own pine plantations, with residents supplying the timber while the Government provides construction materials, technical expertise, logging support, timber treatment services and training to ensure the homes are built to a high standard.

Three houses are at advanced stages of construction. Mr Josaia Naitoko’s home is 89 per cent complete and Mr Watisoni Korobiau’s is 78 per cent complete, with both in the final finishing stage. Construction on Mr William Tabuya’s home has reached 56 per cent, with roofing and structural work continuing.

Foundation work has also been completed for the homes of Mr Sitai Duikoro and Mr Konisi Yabaki, while framing is underway for Mr Sireli Waqamailau’s house. Timber is currently being extracted for Mr Marama Yabaki’s home, while extraction for the homes of Mr Alipate Nakasava and Mr Joji Waqamailau is yet to begin.

The Government says the project reflects its commitment to improving access to safe and secure housing through community-led development, with all nine beneficiary families expected to move into their new homes by December 2026.