City folks hope Madani Inclusive Housing project offers something different

KUALA LUMPUR - The Madani Inclusive Housing pilot project is seen as an initiative to increase homeownership opportunities for target groups in urban areas.

However, many residents of Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Penang hoped that this project would offer a difference at affordable rates compared to existing housing projects.

Private sector worker Muhammad Arif Zainal Abidin, 31, from Ampang here suggested that the Madani Inclusive Housing project be built in strategic and mature locations rather than in developing ones.

He said this would allow residents to live in areas with amenities such as public transportation, schools, hospitals, major roads, parks, and playgrounds.

"I request that the income threshold for eligibility be lowered to help the target groups in the city.

"We are also aware that most affordable housing often faces maintenance issues. So, I hope that this project can help improve the quality of maintenance for high-rise buildings, such as elevators and public infrastructure,” he told Bernama.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, when tabling the Mid-Term Review (MTR) of the 12th Malaysia Plan (2021-2025) (12MP) in Parliament on Monday, said the MADANI Inclusive Housing pilot project would be developed for target groups in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur and major cities in Selangor, and Penang.

He said the construction involves 800 housing units with various built-up sizes to accommodate the needs of different target groups.

P-hailing driver Mohamad Naufal Mohamad Idris, 35, from Shah Alam, Selangor, hoped that the new housing initiative introduced by the government could offer affordable homes.

He said that while the affordable housing units offered by the state government, like Rumah SelangorKu and Rumah Idaman, are priced below RM300,000, their availability is limited.

"I hope the process of acquiring and purchasing a house is made easier for workers in the gig economy as we don’t have fixed monthly income. This makes it difficult for us to own a house,” he said.

Private sector worker Yunus Yakkub, 40, from Lembah Jaya Utara, Ampang proposed that the housing project should come with basic furnishings such as kitchen cabinets and washing machines as an added value to help ease the burden on buyers.

Meanwhile, Raymond Lee, 30, a telecommunications company worker in George Town, Penang said he would not miss the opportunity to acquire his first residence through this pilot project.

"Many have been waiting for projects like this because buying a house in urban areas is challenging due to the high prices,” he said.

Factory worker in Bayan Lepas, Penang Rosniza Ahmad Rosli, 28, hoped that the Rent-to-Own scheme could be expanded in the state, especially in the industrial sector areas.

Rosniza, who is single and shares a rental house with colleagues, said that the scheme could help more young people and those with a small income own a home due to the lower monthly payments.

During the tabling of the 12MP MTR, Anwar also said that the Rent-to-Own scheme would be expanded to enable more target groups to buy homes. - BERNAMA