Johor to build 48,500 affordable houses

ISKANDAR PUTERI: The state government is targeting to build 48,521 affordable housing units to meet high demand from Johoreans. The units will be built over three years, from 2018.

State Housing and Local Government committee chairman Datuk Abd Latif Bandi said the state would complete 18,456 units in 2018 and 30,065 between 2019 and 2020.

He said 10,955 units will be built in Johor Baru, 2,747 in Kota Tinggi, 1,064 in Batu Pahat and 791 in Kulai while the remaining units will be in Segamat (783), Muar (670), Mersing (589), Pontian (443), Kluang (380) and Tangkak (34).

“The three years are very important for the housing sector in Johor because the projects are scheduled to be completed in that period,” he said in reply to Dr Sheikh Ibrahim Salleh’s (PASSungai Abong) question at the state assembly sitting on Monday.

He added that the houses to be completed in 2019 and 2020 were in Johor Baru (9,579), Batu Pahat (5,068), Kluang (4,615), Kulai (2,812), Segamat (2,648), Muar (2,535), Kota Tinggi (1,279), Tangkak (1,187), Pontian (334) and Mersing (eight).

Ee Chin Li (DAP-Tangkak) suggested that the state government consider exempting those staying in low-cost houses, as well as in low and mid cost flats, from paying assessment.

“Based on figures released by the state, the number of such houses is 140,000 units, which means an exemption will benefit at least 140,000 families,” said Ee.