Fulfilling the dream to live in the city: The guidelines on affordable housing, among other things, will control the price of houses for the benefit of the middle-income group.
THE Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Ministry and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) are finalising the guidelines for affordable housing in the city.
Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Ahmad Phesal Talib said the guidelines, which are scheduled to be released by the end of the month, were aimed at encouraging more people to live in the city.
“The concept of affordable housing is meant for the middle-income earners as they are not entitled to buy low-cost houses and, at the same time, cannot afford high-end units.
“Therefore, controlling the price and setting specific sizes are among the guidelines.
“Developers will be required to build units priced below RM300,000, with a built-up area of at least 800 square feet.
“We have started imposing such guidelines for some joint-venture housing projects,” he said after Federal Territories Day celebrations recently, adding that the ministry had identified three areas in the city to develop affordable homes.
Ahmad Phesal said discussions were ongoing with a company to develop a 1.6ha land in Sungai Besi to build about 300 units of affordable houses.
“Other projects in the midst of discussions include a joint-venture with Berjaya Group in Desa Tasek, and with another company developing more than 250 units in Setapak.”
On the issue of abandoned projects, Ahmad Phesal said a developer had agreed to develop a project in Setapak, allocating 50% of units for affordable homes while the rest would be high-end units.
He said the plan for affordable housing would also benefit those working in the city as they need not travel very far from their homes.
Meanwhile, Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin applauded Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak for contributing RM5mil towards the 1Federal Territory Safety Scheme, aimed at increasing and upgrading security systems in housing areas.
“We now have RM7mil in funds, which will enable us to solve the problems and provide more security features required by residents’ associations and joint management bodies.
Source: The Star Property
