Onn Hafiz (second from left) at the launch of the Johor Housing Development Corporation (PKPJ) Transformation Services where he announced that the state government aims to produce 500 RTBJ homes in the next five years. (From left) Mohd Jafni, PKPJ chief executive officer Datin Paduka Dr Suhailizan Suliman and former state financial officer Datuk Salehuddin Hassan. — Filepic
JOHOR folk, especially the younger generation, are encouraged to apply for Johor Transit Housing Programme (RTBJ) as a stepping stone towards owning their own homes.
Johor housing and local government committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor said the initiative, launched last year, was meant to make it easier for the public to own homes.
“We have the RTBJ for the younger generation.
“At the moment, the homes are available in the Iskandar Puteri and Kulai areas.
“These homes are meant for young couples or those who have just started working.
“Through this initiative, they are able to rent the homes before later deciding on whether they want to buy their own homes,” he said in an interview.
Mohd Jafni said under the scheme, eligible Johor folk only had to pay RM650 monthly.
“About RM400 from the monthly payment is for RTBJ rental fees, while the rest are kept as savings for them to later purchase their own homes.
“After about five years, we will ask them if they want to buy the Johor affordable homes (RMMJ).
“The money saved up will then be used as a deposit for the new house,” he elaborated.
Mohd Jafni said Johor had different housing schemes to help different groups of people.
“We also have Rumah Kasih Johor, where those in the hardcore poor category are given free homes.
“Only those with the ekasih card are eligible to apply for this housing scheme,” he said, adding that the state government aimed to build 120 of these homes this year.
The eKasih system was developed in 2007 as a national poverty database.
Last year, Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the state government hoped to build some 500 units under RTBJ within the next five years.
He said this included 92 units in 2023 and another 216 this year.
Onn Hafiz said the scheme would give opportunities to more eligible Johor folk to own affordable houses built by Johor Housing Development Corporation (PKPJ).
