KOTA KINABALU: Sabah has committed to building another 3,000 homes for the hardcore poor and lower-income families next year.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said these Rumah Mesra SMJ affordable homes were meant to help families and individuals who do not yet own a home.
He said the state government had previously allocated 20 SMJ houses each for all 73 state constituencies throughout Sabah.
“But beginning next year, we will double this amount," he said, during the Sabah Housing and Real Estate Developers Association (Shareda) Nite 2024 at a hotel here on Saturday (Sept 28).
His speech was delivered by state Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe.
Hajiji reiterated that the government had formally requested the Federal Government to allocate 5,000 units of affordable housing under the people’s housing programme (PPR) scheme for Sabah.
"This allocation is a critical step toward addressing the housing needs of our communities, particularly for those in the lower income groups.
"The proposed distribution of these 5,000 units includes 1,000 units each for Tawau and Sandakan and 3,000 for Kota Kinabalu.
“This is our commitment to ensure that every qualified Sabahan has access to affordable and quality housing," he said.
Towards this end, Hajiji urged all developers to collaborate and work together to ensure that housing solutions meet current demands and promote inclusivity and sustainability.
"The success of our initiatives relies on your innovation, commitment, and willingness to adapt to the changing needs of our communities," he said.
He added that collaboration between the government and the private sector demonstrates a powerful synergy to create sustainable communities that cater to the needs of all income levels.
Moving forward, the Chief Minister said priority must be given to the sustainability of housing projects and the community's well-being.
"I urge you to incorporate sustainable practices into your developments using eco-friendly materials, promoting energy efficiency, and practising responsible land use.
“By committing to sustainability, we not only protect our natural resources but also enhance the liveability of our state for future generations," he said.
