3E-7 An Efficient Public Housing Policy

By: Wong Tsu Soon

Organisation/ Individual: Agora Society Malaysia

Policy Code: 3e Economic Justice

Problem Statement and Current Policy:

– Urban housing cost is hiking, free market can’t stop real estate speculation by who are able to do so – Lack of maintenance of government flats, deteriorate living environment has negative impact to residents’ physical and mental health – Public housing only for low income blocks residents’ upward social mobility

Value(s) and Belief:

Housing is a basic human right, only when free from worrying of housing a person can move forward and create a better life.

Proposal of Solution and Call for Action:

– Financial and power decentralisation of public housing to state governments and local authorities – Transform unmarketable apartments/condominiums to publicly rentable units – Subsidy and higher priority public housing rental approval for fresh graduates – Public housing should be applicable to any income groups, preference based on working location – The main consideration of approval should be the working location of applicants, to encourage short commuting and mixed income groups in an estate – The rental should be set to not exceed market price, based on income bracket, and adjustable according to distance to working location, the nearer the cheaper – The applicants with property should be considered in discretion of authorities based on working location as well, probably with higher rental

Additional information:

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