Affordable housing open to all in Penang

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government has relaxed the ownership eligibility for affordable housing in the state.
State Housing Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh said 30% of the units in an all-affordable housing project can be purchased on the open market without government vetting.
He however said these units were priced 10% higher while those located in the Northeast District (where George Town is) will be 20% more.
He said the monies derived from such sales will be returned to the state "in kind" through housing units of the project to be sold to those eligible or via a rent-to-own scheme.
He noted that the state was engaged in constructing two all-affordable housing projects while the private sector had nine such projects currently with 8,375 units on offer.
"All these developments will enjoy the loosening of requirements to ensure such projects are implemented without delay," he said in a press conference today.
Price-controlled housing options in Penang comprise low-cost units at RM42,000, low-medium cost units at RM72,500 and RM150,000.
Affordable housing units are priced at RM200,000, RM300,000 and RM400,000 and come with a minimum size and amenities requirement.
On another housing issue, Jagdeep said the 4,178 civil servants in Penang will be given priority for affordable housing units.
He said the administration made the decision as there was no information regarding the status of 1Malaysia Housing Projects (PR1MA) and 1Malaysia Civil Servants Housing (PPA1M) units in the state from the federal government.
He said the state government was not informed if any such projects were to be built in Penang adding a letter seeking information from the Urban Well-being, Housing and Local Government Ministry was sent on Nov 23.