Housing Programme Expanded with Business Financing and Free Certification, Says Minister

Bandung (ANTARA) - Minister of Housing and Settlement Areas (PKP) Maruarar Sirait said the government is expanding the benefits of the housing programme for low-income communities by integrating home improvement assistance with a certification programme, business financing and subsidised housing.

“For housing, we are also working with the Ministry of Industry to provide free certification for low-income communities, including BSPS recipients,” said Maruarar after a socialisation event for the Self-Help Housing Stimulant Assistance Programme (BSPS) in Bandung on Saturday.

According to him, BSPS recipients not only receive assistance to repair their homes, but are also encouraged to improve their economic independence through access to business financing prepared by the government.

On that occasion, he also said the government is opening access to Housing People’s Business Credit (KUR) for low-income communities, with a financing ceiling of up to Rp100 million without collateral and an interest rate of 0.5 per cent.

In addition to strengthening access to business financing, Maruarar said the government continues to promote home ownership through the subsidised housing programme, both landed houses and flats.

He said the construction of 1,000 subsidised flat units in the Kiaracondong area of Bandung City is targeted to begin this year as part of providing housing for low-income communities.

Maruarar added that the government is also providing various conveniences for people buying subsidised homes.

He also noted that last year saw the highest achievement of subsidised housing under the Housing Financing Liquidity Facility (FLPP) scheme in Indonesian history, at 278,000 units in a single year, higher than the 228,000 recorded in 2023.

He added that this achievement was supported by synergy between the central government and regional governments in providing ease of permitting and regulation, so that the housing programme can reach more low-income communities.