KOTA KINABALU – The three-month notice to tenants occupying the Sabah Housing and Urban Development Board (LPPB) low-cost homes for over 10 years remains in effect, said state Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Joachim Gunsalam.
He said the notice applies to tenants who had lost their eligibility, but revealed that extension will be considered if they pass a vetting process.
“The ministry and LPPB will establish a task force to screen the tenants, verifying their eligibility status to ensure that only those who are genuinely in need of the housing facility can benefit.
“This measure aims to prevent individuals from profiting from PPR homes such as subletting,” he said here today.
The decision to continue with the eviction process came after a Sabah cabinet meeting held here yesterday.
Gunsalam explained that this action will enable LPPB to rent out the available units to others who are in the low-income bracket in the future.
He noted that a portion of the soon-to-be available units would also be given to fresh graduates as a transit home until they are able to afford their own place.
This decision came following Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor’s recent proposal to assist the fresh graduates, he said.
Gunsalam said it is worth noting that the 10-year limit on renting any LPPB-owned low-cost housing is outlined in the state’s PPR house renting guidelines, which has been in force since 2012.
He said a tenant loses their eligibility if they are found to be renting out their units, earning over RM3,000 per month, are already owning a house, are using the units given to them as transit or storage, are utilising the house as a “homestay”, or are having unpaid arrears.
The public housing board earned the wrath of several politicians after issuing a notice on June 19, instructing its tenants who had occupied their low-cost housing units for over 10 years to vacate in three months’ time.
Hajiji has personally expressed his opposition over the eviction. – The Vibes, June 28, 2023
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