Penang’s rent-to-own (RTO) housing units that have been rolled out to assist the hardcore poor involve a total of five projects in the state so far.

State Local Government, Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said four projects are on the mainland while another is on the island.

The five projects are Taman Seruling Emas and Taman Sungai Duri Permai in South Seberang Perai, Permatang Tok Subuh in Central Seberang Perai, K-Park in Southwest district and Taman Seri Desa in Tasek Gelugor. There are a total of 1,037 units for the projects.

Jagdeep said RTO scheme was meant to help those who could not afford to even buy low-cost units due to high loan rejection rate.

He pointed out that applicants with household monthly income below RM2,000 are eligible to apply for these RTO units.

“This scheme allows the tenants to become owners after renting the unit.

“Therefore, we are now emphasising this RTO initiative to help the poor,” he said at a press conference in Taman Seri Desa, Tasek Gelugor, today.

Jagdeep was speaking to reporters after making a site visit to check on the progress of the construction of 64 units of landed houses under RTO scheme.

He said the units, with a 650sq ft build-up area, are expected to be completed by October this year.

“It will be a month ahead of schedule,” he said, adding that the unit would be sold starting from RM42,000.

Source: Buletin Mutiara

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During a recent visit to Iconic Vue affordable housing project, Jagdeep commended the developer, Iconic Group, for building the 100 percent Type C affordable homes, costing RM300,000 onwards for each unit.

He said the location of the project is strategic as Batu Ferringhi is not only famous in Penang and Malaysia but also throughout the world.

Besides that, Jagdeep complimented the developer for providing quality materials and facilities such as a swimming pool with jacuzzi, wading pool, gym, children’s playground, multi-purpose hall, bbq area and giant chess.

“This state government has managed to get the developer to build it in Batu Ferringhi. Without the government’s intervention, most developers would normally build condominiums worth millions in Batu Ferringhi and which could not be accessed by Penangites who want to buy their first home,” he said.

Also present at the press conference were Penang Island City Council mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang, Seberang Perai Municipal Council president Datuk Rozali Mohamud, Iconic Group executive directors Katherine Tan and Jason Chung, senior project manager Teoh Chiew Poh, sales and marketing manager Leonie Ang, state Housing Department director ‘Ainul Fadhilah Samsudi, senior principal assistant secretary Fakhrurrazi Ibnu Omar and principal assistant secretary Mohd Fauzy Mohd Yusoff, and also some of the buyers.

Tan said the project, which started in 2016, is now 92% complete and six months ahead of schedule.

“This project has only 232 units, the lowest density affordable homes in town. We have sold 228 units. We provide good quality which is similar to condominium specification,” Tan said, adding that they are now expecting the state Housing Department to issue a Certificate of Completion and Compliance (CCC) supporting letter by September.

Source: Buletin Mutiara

The Penang government has agreed to reserve 20% of land from the proposed Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project for affordable homes, says state Local Government, Housing, Town and Country Planning chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo.

He said he had insisted for that reservation in order to have an adequate supply of affordable homes as the Penang population increases every year.

“The state will continue to build low-cost, low-medium cost and affordable homes even though the target of having 76,000 such units by 2025 under the election manifesto has already been surpassed,” Jagdeep told reporters after visiting the almost completed Iconic Vue in Batu Ferringhi today.

He was responding to a question from a reporter that there were claims of oversupply of these units since the housing target has already been reached.

Jagdeep said the priority of the state government was to ensure adequate supply of these units so that Penangites have a roof over their heads.

“Since 2008, 29,959 units had been built, 23,567 are being built and 48,809 have been approved to be built, bringing the total to 102,335 units.

“These units are, however, being built in stages, not overnight. There are new applicants for these housing units every day. So, there is a need to ensure adequate stock.

“For the PSR, it may take between 10 and 15 years by the time the first island is reclaimed. By 15 years time and beyond, the population in Penang would have increased. There will be a need for even more housing.

“And it would reduce our burden to look for place especially on the island where we have the scarcity of land.

“That is the plan. We’ve a plan. I insisted that 20% of land reclaimed under PSR be allocated and reserved for affordable housing. I may even ask for it to be increased. But at this point in time, that has been agreed (by the state government). The reclaimed land will be for industrial, commercial and residential purposes and even affordable housing.”

Source: Buletin Mutiara

The state government has found a new developer to complete one portion of the Jalan Bukit Kukus paired road project that hit a snag due to financial constraints faced by the previous private developer.

Penang work, utilities and flood mitigation committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the previous developer Geo Valley Sdn Bhd had entered into an agreement with Aspen Group for the latter to take over work on the 0.8km stretch.

The 0.8km portion, costing RM120mil, is expected to be completed in 2022.

“The other stretch, which is being built by PLB Land Sdn Bhd and costing RM150mil, has also hit a snag but works are still ongoing.

“We will be getting updates on the progress from PLB,” said Zairil during a site visit to the Lebuh Bukit Jambul stretch.

Zairil said the section spanning 2.8km is financed by the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and cost RM275mil.

It is 78% completed.

“Based on the time frame, the section should be 86% completed now.

“However, it was delayed by a stop-work order lasting 100 days due to a landslide which killed nine foreign workers and injured four others.

“Despite that, the MBPP stretch should be ready in June 2020.

This portion will include a new elevated road to Jalan Tun Sardon, a roundabout and a new paired road to Lebuh Bukit Jambul.

“We expect it to open to traffic by August next year,” he said.

State housing, town, country planning and local government committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo, who was also present, said the cost for MBPP’s portion actually totalled RM370.1mil.

“The construction cost was RM275.6mil while the land acquisition came to RM83.5mil and consultant services cost RM11mil,” he said.

“The project commenced in January 2016 and as of last year, the MBPP has spent RM275.8mil for the construction and land acquisition costs.

“This year, MBPP allocated RM44.2mil and next year, there will be RM37.355mil for the project,” he said.

Jagdeep said the project had been taking up 40% of the city council’s allocations for projects each year since 2016.

The project consists of three sections with MBPP constructing 2.8km of the stretch while the two developers are responsible for the remaining 1.4km (RM150mil) and 0.8km (RM120mil).

The works include the junction improvement of Lebuhraya Thean Teik, widening of the existing Jalan Bukit Kukus, construction of new roads and an elevated link connecting Jalan Bukit Kukus to Lebuh Bukit Jambul.

There will also be construction of the elevated road from Jalan Paya Terubong to Jalan Tun Sardon and an intersection of new paired road to Lebuh Bukit Jambul with a dedicated right-turn ramp.

Source: TheStar.com.my