GEORGE TOWN – The Penang government may take over the building of affordable housing if the federal government continues to neglect the state.
State Local Government, Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said despite constant reminders that the topic of housing should not be politicised as it is a fundamental right, the situation is such that Penang must go at it alone.
“We have to find the means. I hope by the middle of this year, we can start on one site, with about 500 units.
“Helping people to own homes is one of the state’s top-most priorities.”
Previously, Penang had offered five sites to the Housing and Local Government Ministry to construct affordable homes in view of its urgent need.
“But there were no takers,” said Jagdeep in a Facebook Live session with the media.
Earlier, he attended an inaugural meeting of the state housing board, chaired by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, at the Komtar building here.
The board is a one-stop referral centre for the housing industry, with members comprising Chow and Jagdeep, the state secretary, state financial officer, state legal officer, state development officer, as well as community leaders and private sector personnel.
Chow said Penang has identified 113,960 affordable housing units to be built.
There is also a need for the maintenance of the present units, of which the federal government has allocated RM1.2 billion under Budget 2021.
Social activists have said that Penang is top heavy in terms of housing by providing more luxurious and commercial properties, which has resulted in a glut of such units. – The Vibes, February 19, 2021
