GEORGE TOWN – Old and damaged public housing will be redeveloped to have 900 sq ft per unit, the Housing and Local Government Ministry said after the launch of its new policy.
Minister Datuk Seri Zuraida Kamaruddin said redevelopment is more economical due to the increase in maintenance costs.
“The previous redevelopment policy required 100% agreement from all residents, but we need to make amendments, so now we need at least 75% in agreement.
“Most public housing are more than 30 years old and have many problems involving facilities.
“The ministry encourages this redevelopment programme as it allows residents to get comfortable homes. Our new policy sets at least 900 sq ft for an affordable unit,” she said at a press conference today.
Zuraida said the new policy will involve private developers, adding that the policy will be tabled to the cabinet before being brought to Parliament for approval.
She added that the government only approved an allocation of RM100 million in the Budget 2021 for housing maintenance works throughout the country.
Acknowledging that she has received many requests for this maintenance allocation, Zuraida said the allocation will be distributed fairly to all parties.
“We receive a lot of requests, which is why we are introducing this redevelopment programme to reduce the maintenance costs.”
Last week, the Penang government requested that Putrajaya consider providing an allocation of RM86 million for its housing maintenance fund for next year.
State Housing, Town, Country Planning and Local Government Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said the state government had received an allocation of RM32 million Putrajaya earlier this year, adding that he hopes the allocation will continue. – The Vibes, December 26, 2020
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