KUALA LUMPUR: Enabling the people to own affordable houses continued to be the government’s focus which, among others, saw 83,809 houses completed as at end-August 2017 under the People’s Housing Programme (PPR) and MyBeautiful New Home (MyBNHome).
According to the 2017/2018 Economic Report issued by the Finance Ministry, affordable housing initiatives were also implemented through the People Friendly Home (RMR) and 1Malaysia People’s Housing (PR1MA).
It noted that 27,660 house owners received a subsidy of up to RM20,000 for the building of each house under RMR.
Meanwhile, under PR1MA, the report said, the government had allocated 53.1 acres (20.8 hectares) of vacant land in Perak and Sarawak to provide affordable houses to middle-income households.
Touching on MyBNHome, which was introduced in Budget 2017, the report stated that these houses were now under construction in Melaka, Terengganu and Pahang.
In Sabah, Kedah, Sarawak, Johor, Penang and Kelantan as well as at Orang Asli villages in Perak and Pahang, the MyBNHome initiative was in various stages of implementation, the report said.
“MyBNHome is a testament to the government’s commitment and involvement in ensuring that the people have access to their own affordable homes,” it said.
The report also noted that a total of RM65 million was expended to refurbish 4,436 dwelllings benefitting 22,180 recipients in Orang Asli settlements and remote villages.
At the same time, RM206 million was utilised to repair and upgrade basic facilities in 252 flats through the 1Malaysia Maintenance Fund and Housing Maintenance Programme benefitting 228,494 dwellers.
To enhance connectivity, the report said, about RM2.9 billion was expended on the maintenance of state roads and installation of street lights in 145 districts nationwide.
– BERNAMA