IN an effort to inform the public about the state’s affordable housing projects, the state housing department, is kicking off a series of affordable housing roadshows called, ‘Mission: Home Possible’.
State exco for town & country planning and housing, Jagdeep Singh Deo said the roadshows, which started on Aug 23, will take place every two weeks on Saturday.
“We understand that it is difficult for applicants who are working to come and submit their forms on a weekday, during working hours. As such, I have decided to go on this series of roadshows to make it easier for everyone to submit their applications and to further inform the public about our affordable housing projects,” Jagdeep said.
The roadshows would cover all 13 parliamentary constituencies in Penang, first in the Jelutong and Tanjong constituencies, with the other 11 taking place in the following weeks.
Venues for the roadshows will be updated as the series moves along and Jagdeep said the state housing department will be selecting public locations like malls and other public places to make it even easier for people to drop by.
“Since the launch of the new Borang PN1 application forms for affordable housing last December, a total of 100,000 forms have been taken by the public with some 3,000 forms returned to us so far,” Jagdeep added as he reminded the public that the state government is placing the provision of affordable housing for first time Penangite buyers as its top priority.
The requirements to be an eligible buyer of affordable housing in Penang, applicants must be a Penangite or show that they’ve been residing in Penang for at least five years, be a registered voter and a first-time house buyer.
Jagdeep added that together with Penang Development Corporation, the state government will be providing some 20,000 more units of affordable housing within the next five to 15 years.