13/05/2026
For the majority of Papua New Guineans, access to safe, decent, and affordable housing remains out of reach. This is not a consequence of individual circumstance alone. It is the result of deep, systemic failures that continue to drive construction and rental costs beyond what ordinary income earners can bear.
A significant part of the problem lies in the unavailability of raw materials locally. Papua New Guinea does not produce the majority of materials required for construction, forcing developers to source everything from abroad before a single wall is built.
On top of that, every consignment of imported materials — cement, steel, roofing, fittings, and fixtures — attracts import duties and taxes at the border, costs which are passed directly down the supply chain and ultimately borne by the tenant through higher rents. The high cost of land acquisition adds yet another heavy burden, as securing land for residential development in PNG is an expensive and often protracted process.
Compounding all of this is the complete absence of any regulatory framework governing how hardware shops and building material suppliers price their stock, allowing for arbitrary and excessive markups that developers and tenants are left to absorb.
The combined weight of these factors creates a housing market that is structurally unaffordable for the vast majority of Papua New Guineans, particularly low-income earners who are left with little choice but to live in settlements and blocks under conditions that fall well short of humane standards.
Bariver Properties is actively investing in low-cost housing projects and have taken the deliberate step of engaging directly with building material manufacturers and factories, bypassing the conventional supply chain in order to reduce costs as significantly as possible. We want to deliver a genuine luxury living experience at a price comparable to what is currently charged for a single room in a squatter settlement.
We believe that quality, dignity, and comfort in housing should not be the exclusive privilege of high-income earners. Our work is focused entirely on making this a reality for low-income earners who are presently living in settlements and blocks across the country.
Our next housing project is already underway. The development will deliver 12 apartments, comprising both 2-bedroom and 1-bedroom configurations, each thoughtfully and fully fitted out to provide residents with a home that reflects the standard of living every Papua New Guinean deserves.
Follow this page and stay updated as we offer new and cheaper housing options to you in the coming months