The Public Rental Board (PRB) and the Housing Authority (HA) is currently being assessed to see whether a merger is viable.

Minister for Public Enterprise Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said with the two Authorities looking after affordable housing for the public, it would only be appropriate that the work of the two be combined.

Meanwhile, Sayed-Khaiyum while opening the new Housing Authority Office in Suva revealed that as affordable housing is part of the reforms proposed in the Peoples Charter for Change, government has guaranteed loans to see that this reform is carried out.

Sayed-Khaiyum said one of the loans is the soft loan taken by the government with the EXIM Bank of China that will see close to 270 lots being constructed in Wainibuku with construction expected to finish by the year 2010.

He said this is part of the 5 year Housing Plan that will see 20 new subdivisions being built and over 1,000 acres of land utilized in the Central, Western and Northern Divisions with over 80,000 new lots being built by 2014.

The One Stop Housing Authority Shop is located at the Sukuna House in Suva and will provide the public with easy access to housing loans, cashier services and any sort of enquires.