THE government has allocated some RM6 billion for 120 People’s Housing Projects (PPRs), with 83,759 units completed across the country.

Sabah has the highest number of PPRs implemented by the National Housing Department (NHD), with 26,199 units of the low-cost houses.

NHD director-general Jayaselan K. Navaratnam said 41 PPRs comprising 15,327 units were under construction, while 23 projects comprising 10,066 units were in the pipeline.

He said the implementation of PPRs depended on several factors, including high demand from people in the area and applications from the state government to obtain low-cost housing.

He said such projects targeted those living in squatter areas and low-income earners with a household income of not more than RM3,000 a month.

He said there were two types of PPRs – PPR-For-Rent, at only RM124 a month, and PPR-To-Own, where units could be bought for RM35,000 each in Peninsular Malaysia and RM42,000 each in Sabah and Sarawak.

“The response to PPRs is very encouraging as the units are rented out and sold at a fairly low rate compared with the market rate, where the construction cost per unit is between RM150,000 and RM180,000.”

PPR is a programme under the Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Ministry, with NHD as the implementing agency. – Bernama, October 8, 2017.