Minister and DEN Chief Forge Data-Driven Strategy to Strengthen National Housing Ecosystem

Minister of Housing and Residential Areas (PKP) Maruarar Sirait and Chairman of the National Economic Council (DEN) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan are strengthening the national housing ecosystem through the integration of data, technology, and cross-sectoral policy. Following a limited meeting in Jakarta on Thursday, Ara stated that the primary agenda was leveraging information technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and data-driven systems to make all housing programmes more transparent, faster, and better targeted. The PKP Ministry will synchronise its internal database with the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), supported by the DEN team, to produce more accurate and integrated national housing data. This synchronisation includes a by-name, by-address census of the housing backlog, covering both citizens without homes and those living in uninhabitable dwellings across Indonesia. This integrated data will also form the basis for distributing housing stimulus aid, including the house renovation programme, which has been increased from 45,000 to 400,000 units, ensuring it reaches rightful beneficiaries. Ara explained that BPS has mapped areas with the highest poverty rates to guide programme priorities, noting that 19 of the 20 poorest regencies and cities are located in Papua. The Ministry is also drafting a new Housing Law to integrate aspects of housing provision, from data and land to financing and cross-ministerial coordination. Ara emphasised the importance of optimising state land for public housing, coordinating with the Agrarian Ministry and the Forest Area Control Task Force. Various schemes, including private sector cooperation through corporate social responsibility (CSR), are being explored. The government is preparing a simultaneous contract signing for 62,000 subsidised houses across Indonesia on 30 July 2026 in Batam, followed by a target of 71,000 units in December centred in East Java. Ara also highlighted the People’s Business Credit (KUR) for Housing as a new breakthrough, with its quota increased from Rp36 trillion to Rp50 trillion, noting the sector’s significant multiplier effect on the economy through supporting industries and job creation.