THE Penang government, which has pledged to deliver 75,000 affordable homes by 2022 in the 14th General Election manifesto, is delighted to have surpassed the figure based on the completed, ongoing and approved projects.
State Local Government, Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo told reporters in Komtar today that by 2025, Penang would have 101,163 affordable housing units.
He said so far, 29,924 units had been built, 23,222 units are being built and 48,017 units have been approved to be built, totalling 101,163 units.
“This is very historical and we will continue to strive to ensure further units are delivered.
“Our priority is to ensure an adequate supply of affordable homes, including low and low medium-cost units for the people,” he said.
Also present were Pulau Tikus assemblyman Chris Lee and Bayan Lepas assemblyman Azrul Mahathir Aziz.
The prices for the affordable homes are RM42,000 (Type A), RM72,500 (Type B) and RM150,000 (Type C1), RM200,000 (Type C2) and RM300,000 (Type C3). To qualify for them, the gross earnings of each couple must not exceed RM2,500 (Type A), RM3,500 (Type B), RM6,000 (Type C1), RM8,000 (Type C2) and RM10,000 (Type C3).
Jagdeep said the state government would also assist home buyers with high loan rejection rate through the rent-to-own (RTO) scheme.
Two such projects in Central Seberang Perai and Southwest districts have been identified for the initiative.
“We have to be innovative to come out with other mechanisms to enable first-time home buyer the accessibility,” he said.
Under the rent-to-own policy, the monthly rentals will be taken as instalments for the unit should the tenant decide to own it later.
Jagdeep also announced that an affordable housing expo would be held from March 8 to 10 at Mydin Mall in Jalan Baru, Seberang Perai.
A total of 10 developers, including Penang Development Corporation (PDC), will take part in the expo while representatives from Bank Negara Malaysia, Election Commission, Employees Provident Funds and commercial banks will also be there for any enquiries.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud