Government Targets Renovation of 1,000 Substandard Houses in Sitaro to Strengthen Borders
The government is providing 1,000 units of aid under the Substandard Housing Improvement Programme (RTLH) through the Self-Help Housing Stimulus Assistance (BSPS) scheme. During the visit with the Minister of Housing and Settlement Areas (PKP), Maruarar Sirait, Tito also inspected the conditions of residents affected by flash floods.
Tito emphasised that the housing programme represents the state’s presence in border areas, aligning with the President’s mandate to strengthen social justice, regional resilience, and foster a sense of nationalism among border communities, particularly in Sitaro Regency.
“Following President Prabowo’s instructions, we are here to assist flood-affected communities as well as those with substandard housing. This year, the Ministry of PKP has allocated 1,000 RTLH units for Sitaro,” said Tito in a written statement on Friday (10/4/2026).
Tito added that nationally, the government is allocating 15,000 house renovation units specifically for state border areas. This surge is considered substantial, as there was previously no specific allocation for RTLH in border regions.
“One of them is Sitaro Islands, especially since this area has recently been affected by flash floods. Out of a total of 400,000 national housing programme units, 15,000 are specifically allocated for border areas. This is an extraordinary increase, as borders previously had none,” he explained.
Meanwhile, PKP Minister Maruarar Sirait reaffirmed the commitment to accelerating the implementation of the RTLH Improvement Programme in Sitaro Regency.
“Following the President’s directive, we fully support the steps of the National Border Management Agency (BNPP) of Indonesia. Starting next week, we will immediately prepare 1,000 houses for renovation, from uninhabitable to habitable, in Sitaro Island,” said Maruarar.
He stated that there are three main considerations for determining the programme allocation in Sitaro Regency: its strategic position as a national border area, the relatively high poverty rate based on statistical data, and the impact of flash floods requiring quick and measured handling.
“These three reasons form the basis of the policy that we can be accountable for,” he clarified.
It is known that BNPP Indonesia proposed handling 700 RTLH units in the border areas of West Siau and North West Siau Sub-districts. This proposal was approved by the PKP Minister and strengthened with an additional 300 units outside border areas, bringing the total housing assistance for Sitaro Regency to 1,000 units.
In addition, the government is preparing the relocation of 98 post-flood houses on 2.5 hectares of land provided by the Sitaro Regency Local Government.