JOHOR BARU: The Johor government has mobilised its Program Khas Rumah Johor to build 115,000 units of affordable housing in the state.
The programme, also simply known as Rumah Johor, aims to help those from the Bottom 40 per cent (B40) and Middle 40 per cent (M40) income brackets to purchase houses so they would not have to rely on renting a property over a long term.
There were five types of houses being built, namely Rumah Makmur Johor, Rumah Bandar Johor, Pangsapuri Ihsan Johor, Pangsapuri Johor and Rumah Transit Johor.
The price of the houses under Rumah Johor would be between RM80,000 and RM300,000, depending on the type and size.
Based on policies set forth by the Johor government, these quality houses would be developed on 2,003.19 hectares of land.
Rumah Johor would prioritise landed properties, while also providing both high-strata and low-strata developments. For example, Rumah Transit Johor would involve the construction of four-storey strata properties in five to seven years.
To prove the state government's commitment in these projects, Perbadanan Perumahan Negeri Johor was set up last month to steer the developments under the programme.
Permas state constituent Mohd Sidik Abas, 57, hoped the Rumah Johor projects could fulfil his dream of owning a property. He and his family had relocated to Johor from Sabah in 2003.
"My family and I have been renting for the past 19 years because of the unaffordable prices of houses. However, Program Khas Rumah Johor gives new hope for would-be property owners.
"I hope these developments will be expedited. I hope the application process to buy these homes are transparent and buyer-friendly."
Private sector worker and Johor Jaya constituent Amni Bariah Mohd Shah, 27, who recently got married, is also harbouring hopes on the Rumah Johor initiative.
"I have been renting since I began working four years ago and I have also been looking for a property to purchase. Tapi belum ada rezeki (Unfortunately, I have had no luck yet).
"Perhaps my husband and my rezeki could lie with this Rumah Johor programme. Just like other Johoreans, we want to own homes," she said.
Former state Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Ayub Jamil had previously said the programme was among the ways for the state government to overcome the problem involving the lack of affordable housing in the state.
He said between 1997 and 2020, developers had failed to deliver a total of 153,000 units under the Rumah Mampu Biaya, Rumah Mampu Milik and Rumah Kos Rendah programmes despite the issuance of planning permission.
"Program Khas Rumah Johor involves collaboration between the state government and private sector via public-private partnerships, and we hope this will provide an opportunity for Johor folk to own quality and high-value properties," said Ayub.