Our Response

In Fiji, Shelter Equity is partnering with local organizations and community leaders to address some of the nation’s most urgent challenges: unsafe housing, limited access to water and sanitation, and the need for reliable transportation.

Our work begins with safe, stable housing, helping families move out of substandard or informal settlements into homes built to last. These homes provide protection against storms, create a healthier living environment, and give families the stability they need to focus on education and work.

But housing alone is not enough. Many of our projects in Fiji also include clean water and sanitation improvements, giving families safe drinking water and proper sanitation facilities where access is still limited—especially in rural areas.

To help overcome the barrier of distance, we also provide bicycles for transportation, connecting individuals to schools, jobs, healthcare, and the wider community.

Every project is built with sustainability and local ownership in mind. By working alongside Fijians, not apart from them, we ensure that the impact lasts for generations to come.

The Need

140k live without adequate housing

An estimated 140,000 people live in substandard housing, and Fiji will need over 30,000 new homes in the next 15 years.

1

Fiji Country Profile

58% of Fijians have access to safe drinking water

82% of Fijians have access to safe drinking water, but this sharply drops to 58% in rural areas; only 28% are connected to a central sewerage system.

2

Trade.gov

31% poverty rate

Approximately 31% of the population lives in poverty, with rural communities facing much higher rates (up to 43%), while urban poverty stands around 19%.

3

Fiji National Housing Policy

Housing & sanitation still out of reach

Around 20% of the population resides in squatter settlements. Despite broader gains, access to basic sanitation remains limited, especially in rural regions—highlighting ongoing infrastructure gaps.