Croal: Vulnerable hinterland households given priority in housing programmes

Efforts are being expanded to improve access to safe and secure housing in hinterland and remote communities through a mix of direct home construction and building material subsidies, Housing Minister Collin Croal said.

Speaking during a recent Livewire Facebook broadcast, Croal said the Ministry of Housing is prioritising vulnerable households in interior regions, including single mothers, elderly residents and persons with disabilities, noting that housing delivery in these areas differs from coastal programmes because of the communal ownership of village lands.

He said hinterland communities cannot use village lands as collateral for traditional bank financing, prompting a focus on direct housing support rather than formal land titles or mortgage-based schemes.

In some villages, including Sand Creek, families receive houses at no cost, with residents contributing labour during construction, Croal said.

The minister added that the programme is designed to stimulate village economies alongside addressing housing needs. In Region Nine, construction materials are sourced within communities, with clay blocks produced locally and timber supplied by villagers, while the ministry covers the cost of these inputs to keep income within the region. Hardware supplies are also largely purchased from regional vendors.

Croal said village councils play a central role in identifying beneficiaries, with priority given to households lacking other forms of assistance.

In addition to direct construction, steel and cement subsidy programmes have been rolled out in interior regions, particularly in Region Nine, with more than $50 million invested to help families move from land allocation to active home building.

He said once construction begins, homeowners are better positioned to access financing, as completed foundation work can be used to support loan applications. The initiative also strengthens local economies, with materials purchased from regional suppliers.

Housing allocations in hinterland and remote areas are being carried out in phases as land becomes available, Croal said, adding that outreach has been increased to resolve survey and land documentation issues and speed up service delivery.

Looking ahead, Croal said longstanding housing backlogs have been addressed, with more than 4,000 homes completed to date and plans to construct about 40,000 houses between 2025 and 2030.

He said new housing developments are being designed to include schools, recreational facilities and essential services such as police outposts, as part of efforts to create sustainable communities nationwide.