KUALA LUMPUR: The government will prioritise affordable housing projects under the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) concept, providing better access to public transport and essential amenities for residents, says the Housing and Local Government Minister.
Nga Kor Ming (pic) said the ministry implements housing programmes that consider the needs of target groups, including young people, to ensure access to quality housing through either ownership or rental schemes.
Among these initiatives is the Rumah Belia Madani (RBM) programme, which provides transit or rental housing to eligible youth, particularly those starting their lives in major cities such as Kuala Lumpur.
The minister noted that the government is still finalising the best mechanism for determining rental eligibility to ensure that the units are occupied by those who genuinely qualify.
He said this in a written reply to Tanjung Piai MP Datuk Seri Dr Wee Jeck Seng yesterday at the Dewan Rakyat, who raised concerns that affordable housing for youth is often built far from city centres, workplaces and public transport, forcing young people to rent elsewhere at higher costs.
Nga said another initiative is the Perumahan Inklusif Madani (PIM), an inclusive and holistic affordable housing programme designed to have a high social impact.
PIM projects feature a variety of housing designs that cater to multiple groups, including the elderly, persons with disabilities, youth, young families and low-income households (B40).
The pilot PIM project will be implemented in Johor before being expanded to other areas, including Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Penang.
The minister emphasised that the ministry will continue to actively enhance and implement policies, guidelines and programmes to ensure that every Malaysian has access to quality and affordable housing that meets their socio-economic needs.
