By VENESSA GISAO, UPNG Journalism Student
A landmark agreement between the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) and the National Housing Corporation (NHC) is set to give police officers a pathway from temporary barracks to permanent homeownership.
The agreement, signed at Police Headquarters, is aimed at addressing the long-standing housing shortage affecting members of the constabulary and improving the welfare of officers and their families.
It builds on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2024 between the two organisations and represents a significant step towards providing police officers with access to secure land and permanent housing.
Police Commissioner David Manning stated that giving officers stable housing is essential for national security and boosting morale on the frontlines.
“A police officer worried about their family’s roof cannot fully focus on the complex demands of national security,” Manning said. “This initiative guarantees that after years of dedicated service, our officers will have a permanent asset and a dignified retirement.”
Under the new plan, officers can buy land and build homes directly using home loans paid back through automatic salary deductions. The police department is helping lower property costs by providing K100,000 per land plot, while the NHC provides essential site infrastructure.
To make sure houses are handed out fairly, the partnership created the Police Housing Ownership Policy 2025–2030. Applications will be checked by a new RPNGC Housing Ownership Committee using a clear point system and formal rules to stop unfair decisions. Officers who disagree with a decision can appeal directly to the Police Commissioner.
NHC Managing Director Abel Tol said while our officers are out there doing police work, it is our task and mandate as the responsible arm of the government to look after them.
“This moves us away from a one-man decision-making process to a formal, transparent committee so everyone has an equal opportunity to apply.”
NHC Board Chairman James Wong noted that the RPNGC is the first government agency to fully put into action NEC Decision 341 (2023), which requires government housing programs to be managed through the NHC. Wong added that future plans will include starter homes, like single-bedroom units, so younger officers can start building home equity over time.
Former Police Commissioner Chief Ila Geno praised the leaders of both organizations, noting that past attempts to build police housing programs always faced tough challenges.
“Security is the prerequisite for any sector or institution to grow in a democratic society,” Geno stated, praising the leadership team for getting government support to improve living conditions for frontline officers.
While current work is focused on the first 100 land plots in Stage One of the Duran Farm development, officials have confirmed plans to expand the housing model to all 22 provinces and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville as more state and customary land is secured. The initiative is expected to provide greater housing security for officers, improve their overall welfare and living conditions, and strengthen police welfare by ensuring officers have a stable place to live and build their families while serving the country.