3 Aceh Regents Propose Communal Permanent Housing for 1,570 Households

After prolonged efforts to reduce the number of displacees from 2.1 million people to 26 families or 96 individuals, Interior Minister Tito Karnavian assesses that the primary priority now is the construction of permanent housing (Huntap). This mission is based on the government’s desire for flood victims in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra not to remain long in temporary housing.

“Each of them is already expecting the government to build houses for them,” said Tito, who is also the head of the Task Force for Accelerating Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (PRR) Post-Sumatra Disaster, on Monday, 6 April 2026.

According to the PRR Task Force records as of 7 April 2026, progress on Huntap construction has not yet been very significant. Only 230 units have been completed out of a target of 35,368 permanent housing units in the three affected provinces.

Therefore, Task Force Head Tito requests that local governments immediately submit proposals for recipient data to be verified so that the construction process can proceed quickly, measurably, and on target. “Please urge the district/city governments for proposals on Huntap recipient data,” said Tito, directing the Poskonas team in Jakarta today, 8 April 2026.

In the Huntap construction scheme, the PRR Task Force prepares three options that eligible communities can choose. The first option is the in situ scheme, namely construction on land owned by residents with an independent building process. The construction funds are supported by Rp 60 million assistance from BNPB, disbursed in two stages.

The second option also uses the in situ scheme, but the construction is carried out directly by BNPB on land owned by residents with a value of Rp 60 million. Meanwhile, the third option is the communal scheme, or construction in the form of a complex. The process will be carried out by the Ministry of Housing and Settlement Areas from land prepared by local governments.

The selection of Huntap locations cannot be done carelessly. In the Master Plan for Accelerating Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Post-Sumatra Disaster, the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas emphasises the importance of following spatial planning recommendations based on the Disaster-Prone Zone Map (ZRB). This means Huntap locations must be determined in areas safe from potential disaster risks.

The government is also open to collaborating with the private sector if they wish to participate in Huntap construction. The Tzu Chi Buddhist Foundation is one of them, which has completed building 120 units in South Tapanuli Regency.

In addition, communities are allowed to utilise driftwood from the flood as material for Huntap construction in the in situ scheme. This policy is further facilitated by Minister of Forestry Decree Number 191 of 2026, issued at the end of February. “Whatever model they want is up to them, using driftwood is fine,” Tito stated.

Based on his experience visiting the affected areas, Tito said several regencies have already utilised that wood. He found it in Bener Meriah, Gayo Lues, to Aceh Tamiang, with the construction process also supported by local governments.

Aceh is indeed the province with the highest Huntap construction target, namely 26,418 units. Of that number, 104 units have been completed and 395 units are still in the construction process.

The next province, North Sumatra, targets 5,690 units, where 120 units have been completed and 404 units are in the construction stage. Meanwhile, West Sumatra has the lowest target, namely 3,260 units, with 6 units completed and 441 units still in progress.

Realising the high need for Huntap, several regents in Aceh have written to the PRR Task Force. The content of the letters includes plans for communal Huntap construction, including land legality to the number of target households (KK).

Bener Meriah Regency is one of them. Regent Tagore Abubakar sent a letter numbered 500.17/217/2026 containing the proposed location for phase 1 communal Huntap construction. There will be four sub-districts in this construction with a total prepared land area of 29,630 square metres.

In detail, land of 19,619 square metres in Wih Pesam Sub-district owned by Bener Meriah Regency is prepared for 37 households. Then Timang Gajah and Gajah Putih Sub-districts provide 5,911 square metres of land owned by the Aceh Provincial Government for 49 households. Meanwhile, Permata Sub-district relies on 4,100 square metres of land owned by PDAM Tirta Bengi to accommodate 77 households.

A similar step was taken by Central Aceh Regency. Regent Haili Yoga has prepared a large area of 17.5 hectares, all concentrated in Linge Sub-district. Of the total, 10.5 hectares of land originating from customary land in Kute Reje Village, Delung Sekinel, Jamat, and Reje Payung will be allocated for 331 households. The remaining 7 hectares are in Penarun and Umang Villages with Business Use Rights (HGU) status owned by PT Tusam Hutani Lestari for 202 households.

Not to be left out, East Aceh Regent Iskandar Usman Al Farlaky is also planning land development of 176,681.25 square metres. The land spread across Simpang Jernih, Serbajadi, and Idi Rayeuk Sub-districts is targeted to reach 944 households, with a composition of 30,000 square metres of land with HGU status and the rest with usage rights status.

This acceleration spirit aligns with the central government’s commitment that places Huntap as the main indicator of recovery in Sumatra. According to Tito, Huntap construction is the first priority that must be carried out, outlined in the Master Plan (Renduk) which is now in the finalisation stage. The Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas will propose that design to become a Presidential Regulation (Perpres) so it can serve as a guideline in the recovery process.