THOSE renting homes around Johor are urged to take advantage of the state government’s financial assistance programme.
Johor Housing Development Corporation (PKPJ) chief executive Datin Paduka Dr Suhailizan Suliman hopes more people will take up the one-off cash payout totalling RM2,500.
Other initiatives include a one-off payment of RM5,000 for first-time housebuyers and one-off payment of RM2,000 for those moving into their first home, she said.
“We encourage anyone who is renting and working in Johor to take part in this scheme.
“Even people in the village who are renting can apply for it,” she told StarMetro.
So far, 3,823 applicants have benefitted this year, while the state has set a target of 16,000 beneficiaries.
“Maybe many people still don’t know about it.
“We have a standard template for filling the applications.
“Regardless of where or the type of house you are renting, the public can submit their applications,” she said.
Civil servants renting homes could also apply for assistance, she added, as the state government cared about the people’s welfare, especially housing needs.
Asked about the other housing initiatives, Suhailizan said 13,269 first-time housebuyers had benefitted from the RM5,000 cash incentive while the state was targeting 20,000 applicants this year.
“For the RM2,000 cash aid, 4,144 people have received it while the state is targeting 8,915 people,” she elaborated.
All these initiatives are available until Nov 30 this year.
Suhailizan urged members of the public who want to know more about housing schemes in Johor to contact PKPJ at 07-266 6260 or e-mail pkpj@johor.gov.my
Meanwhile, recipient Saaban Mohamed Hasrol, 53, who received the RM2,500 rental assistance for a house in Batu Pahat, said the payment would help ease his financial burden.
“Nowadays, everything is expensive and rent has also gone up,” says the former driver who does odd jobs to make ends meet and pays monthly rental of RM600.
Saaban, who suffers from a nerve malady, has two schoolgoing children to support. His wife is a full-time homemaker.
“Each month, half my income goes towards expenses.
“I receive about RM1,200 from the Social Security Organisation and other aid,” he said.
Asked why he did not purchase a house when he was younger, Saaban said he had applied twice but was unsuccessful both times.
“Now, after my illness, I do not think anyone will give me a loan for a house,” he said.
However, he hopes his children will eventually be able to own homes in Johor under the various housing initiatives by the state government.
Recipient P. Jayakumar, 46, said the RM2,500 payment was timely as renting a house in Johor Baru was expensive.
“My children are still in school and I am driving for Grab to earn a living,” he said.
He found out about the RM2,500 scheme from a friend.
He said rental rates in Johor Baru had risen drastically in the past few years, where monthly rent for a small, unfurnished house could be in the range of RM1,200 to RM1,500.
The recipients were met at the launch of a housing aid programme at Stadium Larkin in Johor Baru, which was attended by Suhailizan alongside Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi and state housing and local government committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor.
