AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS UNDERWAY

BUILD....The government plans to build 6, 109 affordable housing units under the 10th Malaysia Plan.

By : ELAINE MAH

MORE affordable housing units are in the plans for Sabah in the future, Minister of Local Government and Housing, Hajiji Noor said at the State Assembly recently.

He said this in response to the question posed by Elopura Assemblyman Au Kam Wah who asked about the plans that the Board of Housing and Urban Development have to build more affordable housing in Sabah especially in major towns.

According to Hajiji, under the 10th Malaysia Plan, the Board plans to build 6, 109 affordable housing units, with 1,873 units, and 4, 236 units funded by the state or federal government in the period between 2012 to 2015.

This proposal will involve 21 projects statewide. To date, one project has been approved while the remaining 20 will be resubmitted for inclusion under the 3rd Rolling Plan of the 10th Malaysia Plan.

Although the Board currently does not have suitable land in the larger town areas such as Kota Kinabalu, Tawau, Sandakan and Lahad Datu for the purpose of developing affordable housing units, Hajiji assured the State Assembly that the Board is currently in the process of identifying suitable areas for housing.

Additionally, the ministry will implement the 30 percent affordable housing policy for every housing development program proposed by private developers and government agencies, Hajiji said. (Insight Sabah)