Chor asks PR1MA coordinating unit to fast-track low-cost housing projects

By Bernama Tuesday, 14 August 2012 18:55

PETALING JAYA (Aug 14): Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Chor Chee Heung has asked the unit coordinating the 1Malaysia Housing Programme (PR1MA) to fast-track their projects as many applicants are still on the waiting list. He said many low-income earners have applied for houses under the government's PR1MA programme. Information on PR1MA projects should also be published on the PR1MA website for the people's benefit. "We want the people to understand the programme so that eligible applicants can apply for the houses," he told reporters after opening a roundtable discussion on "Housing Affordability: Issues and Challenges" here on Tuesday. The PR1MA housing programme aims to provide middle-income earners in cities nationwide the opportunity to own their first home at reasonable prices of between RM150,000 and RM300,000, depending on the location. Chor said the government has done fairly well in providing a house for the low-income group under the People's Housing Project but the focus now was to build more houses for the medium-income group. "Owning a house in urban areas is urgent and the financial burden of supporting urban living is very high. So, the government is trying to help this people with the introduction of PR1MA and My First Home Scheme," he said. "The government sees the need to mitigate the financial burden of young middle-income earners due to the high cost of living, particularly in urban areas," the minister said. Chor said feedback from the roundtable discussion would be useful for his ministry. He said housing industry players must play their role in helping the people in need of houses. "We need to come up with innovative and holistic ways to build affordable houses for the people, especially with the expensive construction materials and land cost," he said. — Bernama