THE government is on track to achieve its target of delivering 500,000 affordable houses (RMM) by year-end, says Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming (pic).
Nga said as of Dec 31 last year, 466,421 units – 93.3% of the target – had been completed, were under construction, or were in the planning stages nationwide.
“I am confident that by the end of this year, we will reach the 500,000-unit target,” Nga said in response to a question in the Dewan Rakyat.
He was addressing concerns from Rosol Wahid (PN-Hulu Terengganu) regarding rising house prices and their impact on young first-time buyers.
He said Malaysia’s home ownership rate has reached 76.5% as of 2022, with the government ramping up efforts to expand affordable housing.
At the federal level, affordable homes are provided through various schemes, including the People’s Housing Programme (PPR), People’s Residency Programme (PRR), Rumah Mesra Rakyat (RMR), PR1MA Housing Programme, and Syarikat Perumahan Negara Berhad (SPNB) Residences.
Meanwhile, state governments also offer their housing programmes, tailored to local needs.
He said Budget 2025 has allocated nearly RM900mil to expand PRR and RMR projects, including 5,410 new RMR units.
To ease home financing, he said the government has boosted the Housing Credit Guarantee Scheme (SJKP), offering loan guarantees of up to RM500,000 for first-time homebuyers.
An additional RM10bil in guarantee under Budget 2025 brings the total financing under SJKP to RM30bil, benefiting 76,664 borrowers with approved loans worth RM17.86bil since 2008.
First-time buyers can also claim up to RM7,000 in mortgage interest tax relief for three years, added Nga.
To further support home ownership, Nga said the government has introduced the Rent-to-Own (RTO) scheme, allowing low-income earners (B40) and young professionals to rent PPR units with the option to buy later.
“Housing prices are also mapped based on median income levels in each state and district, ensuring affordability and accessibility through the Malaysia Urban Observatory (MUO) dashboard,” he said.
Nga emphasised the government’s commitment to protect homebuyers and maintain quality housing standards.
The Affordable Housing Standard aligns with the National Housing Standard (CIS 26:2019), ensuring consistency in pricing and quality.
