Hashim: 22 Million Families Living in Uninhabitable Housing
The demand for decent housing in Indonesia remains within the range of 20 million to 27 million units. This figure, which includes both those without homes and those living in uninhabitable dwellings, is currently being finalised by the government.
Hashim Djojemandikusumo, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Pahlawan Harapan Sejahtera Indonesia Emas (PHSI) Foundation and Chairman of the Housing Task Force, stated that decent housing remains one of the nation’s major housing challenges. Based on data currently under review, approximately 9 million families do not yet own decent homes, while the number of families who own homes that are deemed uninhabitable exceeds 22 million.
“There are figures still being processed, likely from the economic census currently underway. We are looking at 20 to 27 million, though it is not yet final,” Hashim said during the handover of 30 ‘Rumah Cahaya’ (Light House) ownership certificates to forgotten heroes in Jakarta on Monday night.
According to Hashim, providing decent housing is a vital component of improving public welfare. He noted that independence has not fully brought prosperity if a significant portion of the population still lacks adequate shelter. “Indonesia has been independent for 81 years, but some of our people are not yet happy because they do not have decent homes,” he remarked.
Hashim added that this issue is one of the reasons the government is refocusing its attention on the housing sector. Providing decent housing is part of the broader effort to enhance societal well-being.
The Rumah Cahaya programme serves as a collaborative effort to address this issue. Through the PHSI Foundation, 30 houses have been constructed for Indonesian heroes and their families, with support from Bank Tabungan Negara (BTN).
Nixon L.P. Napitupulu, President Director of BTN, stated that support for housing provision extends beyond mortgage financing. He noted that certain segments of society are unable to access housing finance through traditional credit schemes, such as those limited by age.
In addition to the Rumah Cahaya programme, Nixon mentioned that BTN has supported the construction and renovation of 477 social houses between 2022 and 2026. This programme targets underprivileged families, low-income communities, fishermen, coastal farmers, and those affected by natural disasters.