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

CHILDREN raised in run-down environments similar to the Taman Putra Damai public housing project (PPR) in Lembah Subang, which is in a squalid state, adapt to sub-optimal settings that can undermine their educational performance.

Lembah Subang PPR Residents’ Association head Abu Taib Wirid said the children required a conducive environment for better brain development and learning experience.

“Over here, the children are faced with overwhelming challenges that children in better neighbourhoods do not come across. Here, the children are confronted by stench from garbage, vandalised apartments and cannibalised motorcycles,” he said.

Abu alleged that the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) had neglected public housing by leaving the vandalised flats and playground in a state of disrepair.

“Children living in the apartments need a good playground to run around. Most of the playground equipment are broken. Even the volleyball court has been turned into a carpark. MBPJ cannot leave the children to face such adversity,” he said.

He said residents want MBPJ to install new playground equipment and have the area fenced up with gates for the children’s safety.

“We also want the council to rebuild the volleyball court as this will provide a place for the teenagers to enjoy a game and exercise. Once rebuilt, the court must be fenced up and bollards placed to discourage people from parking their cars there,” he said.

He added that the residents wanted a good environment.

On safety issues, he said MBPJ should assign enforcement officers to patrol the flats 24 hours daily to curb vandalism and theft.

Petaling Jaya mayor Datin Paduka Alinah Ahmad said the human factor in Lembah Subang would be looked into.

“For this low-cost housing, I need some time to come up with an action plan to get the facilities up and running. We must come up with a strategic plan to prevent vandals from damaging the equipment again,” she said.

Source: The Star Property

High property prices are set to “keep increasing” in certain areas with good fundamentals, said the Association of Valuers, Property Managers, Estate Agents and Property Consultants (AVPEP) president Lim Lian Hong.

“In certain areas, property prices will keep increasing. The property market is backed by the country’s economic fundamentals.

“It is better not to try to guess which one will go up and which one will come down. This is because the property market is not (volatile) like the stock market,” Lim said.

He said the prices were also determined by other fundamentals such as population growth, access to highways, and also types of design and finishes that a particular property offered to buyers.

Speaking at a briefing during the Property Market Outlook For 2013 forum organised by AVPEP, Lim said other important factors to include in evaluating a property was its surrounding area such as other upcoming developments.

He also said credit had to be given to certain developers for being able to market and sell their products so well in spite of the high prices.

“They (the developers) have been able to develop properties so well that sees values go up and this is good for everybody,” Lim added.

He said that another factor which influenced property prices was the supply-demand factor.

“If you ask me (specifically) in which areas the prices will go up or down, you will have to look at the supply and demand (equilibrium),” he quipped.

AVPEP honorary secretary Foo Gee Jen said another factor was the property’s access to transportation facilities roads, rails or highways.

“In some areas today, even a Chinese school (situated nearby) may be key to an increase in land values. We are starting to see that,” Foo said.

On a related matter, Property Services and Valuation Department deputy director-genaral (technical) Faizal Abdul Rahman said that 2013 might see some “adjustment” in property prices.

“The increase in prices will not be as high as in previous years. Prices this year will moderate, depending on the area.

“Incoming supply in terms of numbers will be more than in previous years but the growth percentage will be less,” Faizal said.

Source: The Star