93,231 people without a fixed income get to own homes

PUTRAJAYA: A total of 93,231 applications for the Housing Credit Guarantee Scheme (SJKP) have been approved as of July 31, with total financing guarantees of nearly RM22.14 billion, says housing and local government minister Nga Kor Ming.

Describing it as the highest-ever recorded, Nga said 67% of the recipients are housebuyers for homes priced below RM300,000, which is in line with the government's affordable housing agenda.

"The majority of the approvals were given to the B40 group, which is the scheme's main target group.

"The ministry also aims to expand this financing initiative to targeted groups through rent-to-own financing through SJKP," he said in a statement today.

Nga said this was among the matters raised at the National Affordable Housing Council meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim today. Among others, the meeting discussed the drafting of a new act and the housing ecosystem in the country.

The SJKP is a government initiative aimed at assisting individuals without a fixed income, such as gig workers and small traders, to own homes.

Through this scheme, the government provides housing loan guarantees for those who find it difficult to secure financing through conventional channels.

Nga also said the ministry is actively holding engagement sessions for the drafting of new acts, such as the Residential Tenancy Act, and amendments as well as improvements to existing acts, namely the Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Act 1966 (Act 118) and the Strata Management Act 2013 (Act 757).

On the Rumah Mesra Rakyat programme, Nga said the targeted number of RMR units will be increased up to 10,000 units per year in collaboration with various agencies, including the private sector, government bodies and NGOs, taking into consideration the fact that 13,502 applications were still awaiting approval.

On the implementation of affordable homes under the 13th Malaysia Plan, he said that as of June 30, 98.8% (or 493,874 affordable houses) had been completed. The remaining 6,126 units are expected to be completed by the end of this year.

Nga also emphasised the importance of financial literacy among the target groups to increase access to financing and good financial management practices.