KUALA LUMPUR – There is no discrimination against persons with disabilities (PwD) and the elderly in their application for houses under the Housing and Local Government Ministry affordable housing scheme, said Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Abd Muttalib.
He said the ministry was responsible for providing quality, conducive and affordable housing to meet the needs of the target groups including the vulnerable and PwDs.
“To ensure that people with disabilities are able to own houses, 1% of the total People’s Housing Programme (PPR) is allocated to the group as set by the ministry,” he said during a question and answer session in the Dewan Negara here today.
He was replying to a supplementary question from Senator Datuk Ras Adiba Mohd Radzi who wanted to know what steps have been taken by the ministry to facilitate PwDs and the elderly in their application because there were complaints of discrimination against the group.
On the PPR project, Ismail said the ministry gives special consideration to PwDs by allocating them the ground floor units and a designated area for their vehicle while the facilities, including elevators, have been adapted to their needs.
“In addition, the housing planning guidelines for housing development have included conditions for houses to be built according to universal design for planning permission and building regulation approval,” he added.
He said should the housing developers fail to follow the requirements and design specifications, the ministry has the right to take action by not granting approval or they could be fined up to RM50,000 or face three years imprisonment or both. – Bernama, August 16, 2022
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