Academic reveals potential surge in demand for subsidised housing
Mataram (ANTARA) - Ahmad Zaenal Wafik, an academic from the University of Matram (Unram), stated that the demand for subsidised housing has the potential to increase following the expansion of the income threshold for those eligible to access government property financing services.
“As the number of people who are qualified or meet the requirements to obtain subsidised housing increases, the demand for subsidised housing will rise,” he said when contacted in Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), on Monday.
Wafik noted that previously, individuals earning between Rp7 million and Rp8 million were considered too high-earning to qualify for subsidised housing. However, under current conditions, such income levels may no longer be sufficient to purchase a home.
He believes that expanding the maximum income limit is a form of government adjustment to changing economic conditions, ensuring that Generation Z, young workers, civil servants, teachers, healthcare workers, and young couples can afford housing.
“The policy to expand the minimum salary for access to subsidised housing finance is actually an adaptive measure for the middle class,” said Wafik.
According to previous reports on 23 June 2026, the government officially raised the maximum income limit for low-income earners to Rp14 million to access subsidised housing.
This policy aims to accelerate the ‘3 Million Houses’ programme and maintain housing affordability amidst the trend of rising property prices and increasing living costs.
Wafik reminded the government to always anticipate the potential surge in demand by increasing the supply of subsidised houses.
In his view, if the number of eligible potential buyers increases while house construction cannot keep pace with demand, it could trigger intense competition to obtain subsidised housing.
Lower-income groups earning the regional minimum wage, who are in the most need of housing, could lose out to middle-income groups earning tens of millions of rupiah per month.
“The middle-income group has better administration and possesses superior administrative or financial capabilities, so in terms of qualification, this could impact the lower-middle class,” Wafik concluded.
The government has categorised low-income earners into four regional zones with varying maximum income limits. Zone I includes Java (excluding Jabodetabek), Sumatra, NTB, and NTT, with a maximum income of Rp8.5 million for single workers and Rp10 million for married workers.
Zone II covers Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Bangka Belitung Islands, Riau Islands, Maluku, North Maluku, and Bali, with a maximum income of Rp9 million for singles and Rp11 million for married individuals.
Zone III, which covers the entire Papua region, has a maximum income of Rp10.5 million for single workers and Rp12 million for married workers.
Finally, Zone IV covers Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi (Jabodetabek), with a maximum income of Rp12 million for single workers and Rp14 million for married workers.