Social Ministry has data on 5,000 underprivileged families eligible for house renovation aid

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf has confirmed that his ministry has compiled data on 5,000 underprivileged families who meet the criteria to receive house renovation assistance. “The ones that are now clean and clear are 5,000 (underprivileged family data). Ground checks have been conducted in the field, and they have been confirmed to meet the requirements,” said Saifullah Yusuf in Jakarta on Monday. The government aims to renovate 10,000 uninhabitable homes across Indonesia this year. Therefore, from the recorded number, the government is still compiling data on another 5,000 underprivileged families. “Just 5,000 (data) left. It will all be done gradually,” said Saifullah Yusuf. The Social Affairs Minister emphasised that the house renovation programme is aimed at families of Sekolah Rakyat students. “Where the children attend school, their parents are empowered and supported with other strategic presidential programmes. One of them is assisting families or parents of Sekolah Rakyat students with the renovation of uninhabitable homes or making them more habitable,” said Saifullah Yusuf. Meanwhile, Minister of Housing and Settlement Areas (PKP) Maruarar Sirait added that the house renovation or bedah rumah programme is part of the BSPS (Bantuan Stimulan Perumahan Swadaya) initiative under his ministry. “The President is prioritising housing by significantly increasing (the budget) for house renovations, targeted at people who already have homes but they are not yet habitable,” said the minister, who is affectionately known as Ara.