O’Neill wants long-term residents to get houses

By HELEN TARAWA
PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill has directed the National Housing Corporation to issue titles to those who have been living there for many years.
O’Neill was responding to the eviction of families by the NHC for various reasons, including rental arrears.
He directed the commission to work with the Department of Lands and give titles to the families.
“Families who have been living in those houses must be given first priority,” he said.
“They must have the right of first refusal so that they can have ownership of that land.
“We don’t care whether it’s in a prime location. But families that have been living there must be given first priority.
“The housing department and ministry have been told to get their acts together.
“There has been a lot of things happening there which is not in the best interest of our people.
“Many families who have been living in Housing Corporation houses for many years have been displaced unnecessarily.
“The titles and ownership documents held by the housing department is not a title – just a certificate of occupancy.”
He said the corporation has also been directed to give houses to families who qualify for housing under the giveaway scheme.
“Where families were identified to receive houses, and yet they have not received houses, we are telling them to give the titles and ownership under the giveaway scheme,” O’Neill said.
“If the families want to sell the houses and move on, that is their business.
“We must live up to the commitment of giving them the opportunity so that they have the first preference.”
Lands Minister Justin Tkatchenko said the departments of housing and lands have started the process in the Duran Farm Housing Project.