Tightening housing criteria in Penang

THE Penang government may look into fine-tuning the criteria required to apply for its low-cost and low medium-cost housing projects.

This is to ensure that the units are only allocated to the deserving group.

State Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said some of the individuals who applied for a unit were found to have up to three vehicles registered under their names.

“I will suggest to my special committee in the next meeting this Friday to widen the net when looking at applications to see if they (the applicants) are eligible.

“We will try to look at the applications and ownership of vehicles. These units are not for those who already own houses or multiple vehicles.

“If the applicant already owns a house or his income is above the income limit, he will not be eligible,” he told reporters during the Penang Fo Yi Haemodialysis Society’s thanksgiving event at Stone Bay Restaurant in Jelutong yesterday.

Jagdeep Singh said the state works with the Land Office and local councils to identify if applicants already own houses.

“We can do the same to identify the number of vehicles registered by the applicants by checking with the Road Transport Department (JPJ).

“If the special committee agrees, we will extend our network with the JPJ.

“These units are only for those in dire need of housing,” he said.

He added that out of the 75,000 forms which had been given out, a total of 1,470 forms had been submitted, as of last week.

Also present was Jelutong MP Jeff Ooi, who is in the special committee.

Ooi said the state wanted to make the selection system more efficient and ensure that the limited supply of units was only allocated to those qualified and deserving.

It was reported in December last year, that there are 10 affordable housing projects by the state government and Penang Development Corporation, which are expected to be completed in 2018.

A total of 20,000 units will be available under the projects.

Jagdeep Singh said it was the Federal Government’s duty to provide affordable housing to Penangites.

“Before the elections, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak promised affordable homes under the PR1MA programme.

“They have been quiet after the elections.

“Last week, I wrote to Najib about it. Let’s hope he replies to say that Penang will not be sidelined,” he said.

On Phase Two of the Sungai Pinang flood mitigation project, Jagdeep Singh said that he hoped the Federal Government’s promised allocation of RM150mil would be executed. - The Star