Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has announced a bold and transformative National Housing Strategy, placing the National Housing Corporation at the forefront of delivering secure, dignified, and lawful Home Ownership for Papua New Guineans.
This follows the high-level Government Meeting convened earlier today at Melanesian Haus, where urgent Housing and Land solutions were discussed in response to ongoing Eviction concerns and broader Urban Settlement challenges.
Prime Minister Marape also clarified the historical context surrounding current Eviction Issues, noting that many of these matters stem from legacy decisions made over a decade ago.
“Land Titles were issued about 10 to 15 years ago, around 2012 and 2013, and Court processes have been running since 2018 up to today. These are legacy issues now catching up—rightly or wrongly,” Prime Minister Marape stated.
“Rightly or wrongly, people have occupied those Lands, and successive processes have led to where we are today. My Government, like in many other areas, is now dealing with these inherited issues responsibly,” he added.
He emphasised that while Legal processes must be respected, the Government is intervening to ensure humane and practical outcomes for all Parties.
“We have called on Title Holders to understand from a humanitarian perspective as we put in place alternative solutions,” he said.
Home Ownership through ‘Home Giveaway Scheme’
At the heart of the Prime Minister’s directive is the introduction of an innovative “Home Giveaway Scheme”, designed to transition long-term settlers into formal Land and Home Ownership arrangements. “We have asked National Housing Corporation to look at a Home Giveaway Scheme for those who already occupy Land—especially our people who have been residing in these areas for many years,” Prime Minister Marape said.
The Scheme will target residents in major Suburbs across Port Moresby such as Morata, Hohola, Tokarara, and Gerehu, as well as similar settlements throughout Papua New Guinea.
From Informal Settlements to Formal Ownership
Under this Strategy, eligible residents will be given a pathway to formal Land tenure through structured Agreements with the State. “As soon as this Program comes into effect, those who are properly registered will begin to pay land rates, power, and utilities, and live in an organised manner under a covenant with the State,” the Prime Minister stated.
Residents will be required to:
– Register under the Scheme;
– Commit to lawful and orderly living conditions;
– Enter into formal Agreements with the National Housing Corporation;
– Gradually transition into fully titled landowners.
“You will sign a Covenant to be a law-abiding Resident of your Allotment. This is about building responsible communities as well as providing ownership,” he added.
Jubilee ‘Reset @ 50’: Restoring Land to the People
Prime Minister Marape framed the Housing Strategy within the Government’s Reset @ 50 Agenda, aligning it with the Biblical principle of Jubilee—restoring Land Ownership to the people. “This is our Jubilee year. The Bible speaks about restoring Land to the people. We want to translate that into real action for our citizens,” he said.
He emphasised that Papua New Guineans who have lived on Land for extended periods—often for a generation—must now be recognised and empowered through formal ownership. “If our people have occupied Land for one generation or more, let us now migrate them into proper Title and Ownership,” the Prime Minister directed.
Clear Directive to National Housing Corporation
The Prime Minister has issued direct instructions for the National Housing Corporation to work closely with the Lands Department to implement this Policy efficiently. “National Housing Corporation will be tasked to work with Lands Department to ensure proper titling and transfer processes are completed for our people,” he said.
This coordinated effort will ensure:
– Proper Land Registration systems;
– Transparent Allocation processes;
– Legal transfer of Land Titles to citizens;
– Integration of settlements into planned urban structures.
Importantly, the Prime Minister stressed that this intervention is not just about resolving current Eviction pressures, but about addressing deeper structural challenges. “We are taking this opportunity not just to deal with Eviction issues, but to address the far bigger issue of proper Housing and Land for our people going forward,” he stated.
A Nationwide Program for All Papua New Guineans
While initial focus will be on Port Moresby, the Prime Minister confirmed that this Program will be rolled out nationwide. “This Program will not be limited to the capital city. It will extend to all parts of our country where our people are living in similar conditions,” he stated.
Building Orderly, Lawful, and Empowered Communities
The Housing Strategy is not only about Land Ownership, but also about transforming Settlements into organised, law- abiding communities that contribute meaningfully to the economy. “This is about giving our people dignity, security, and responsibility—so they can build their future in a structured and lawful environment,” Prime Minister Marape said.
Prime Minister Marape’s Housing directive marks a historic shift in National Policy—moving from informal settlement existence to structured, inclusive Home Ownership for Papua New Guineans, while responsibly addressing legacy Land issues inherited over the past decade. By empowering the National Housing Corporation to lead this initiative, the Government is taking a decisive step toward solving one of the country’s most enduring challenges.
“These are our people. They deserve ownership in their own country. Through this Program, we will ensure that no Papua New Guinean is left without a place to call Home.”
Press Release
