Subsidy Rusun Scheme for MBT Still Under Development: Incentives Differ from MBR

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Housing and Human Settlements is still developing the subsidy scheme for apartment units (rusun) for the middle-low income group (MBT), including formulating the form of incentives that will not be equated with the low-income group (MBR). The Director General of Urban Housing at the Ministry, Sri Haryati, stated that the government is currently conducting a thorough review of the capabilities and characteristics of the MBT group before establishing policies. “We are still calculating and identifying the ability to pay as well as the willingness to pay. This is what we are delving into,” Sri said when met at her office in Jakarta on Thursday (23/4/2026). Nevertheless, Sri emphasised that the incentives for MBT will not be the same as for MBR, which remains the primary priority in the housing programme. “Even if there is a scheme for MBT, the incentives will certainly not be the same as for MBR. We prioritise the principle of justice, and MBR remains the priority,” she said. “Policy determination cannot be arbitrary. Everything must be data-based, and each region has different characteristics,” she added. Sri explained that the MBT group emerges as a segment above MBR but not yet fully able to access commercial housing, especially in urban areas like Jabodetabek. Therefore, the government is considering policy interventions so that this group still has access to housing, including through the subsidised rusun scheme. The government is also still reviewing the needs for providing rusun for the MBT group, including adapting to market conditions and societal capabilities so that the resulting policy remains on target. The results of this study will later serve as the basis for preparing a more flexible scheme, both in terms of recipient criteria and the form of support. In this way, MBT can still reach decent housing without reducing the focus on MBR.