175 low-cost houses being built in three districts — Jaujan

THE Ministry of Local Government and Housing is in the midst of building 175 units of low cost houses in three districts in the state, said its minister, Datuk Jaujan Sambakong

The said houses would be built in Merotai, Tawau (100 units); Kg Sook, Keningau (32 units); and Ulu Dusun, Sandakan (43 units).

In his winding-up speech at the 15th State Legislative Assembly sitting yesterday, he said that the initiative was carried out through the Housing and Urban Development Board (LPPB).

“My ministry is well aware of the need to build more affordable housing for the lower income groups, especially those from the B40 group,” said the Deputy Chief Minister.

Jaujan explained that the State Government would fund the construction of the houses and each unit would be priced between RM42,000 and RM47,000.

He further disclosed that the LPPB had also taken the initiative to apply for more allocation from the Federal Government for the implementation of the People's Housing Project (PPR) in Sabah.

He said that an application to build a total of 18,825 PPR housing units in 32 locations around the state in the PPR programme, had already been made.

“The LPPB has been appointed as an implementing agency for the Low Income Housing Loan Scheme (SPPUGBR) and the Long House Loan Scheme (SPRP) in Sabah.

“The SPPUGBR is a loan scheme that is provided by the Federal Government for the low income groups (those who are not government personnel and have not yet owned a house).

“The scheme is aimed at covering the costs of building houses that do reach more than RM50,000,” he said.

It is understood that as of April 2019, the LPPB has already built a total of 372 units; 124 are currently in the construction process while the other 161 will commence construction soon.