Surabaya DPRD supports low-income rusunami in three areas

Surabaya (ANTARA) - Deputy Speaker of the Surabaya Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) Bahtiyar Rifai has backed the planned construction of low-cost flats (Rusunami) initiated by Surabaya Mayor Eri Cahyadi, prioritised for low-income residents (MBR).

Bahtiyar said in Surabaya on Thursday that vertical housing could be a solution to the limited land availability and high demand for housing in the City of Heroes.

“We are pushing for the Rusunami programme to be realised. It will be prioritised for low-income residents up to a maximum income of the regional minimum wage (UMR),” he said.

According to him, the limited land in Surabaya makes horizontal housing development increasingly difficult, so vertical housing construction is one alternative to meet the community’s housing needs.

The city government, he said, needs to be present in meeting the community’s basic need for decent and affordable housing.

“Many Surabaya residents have been forced to buy houses outside the supporting areas. Many buy in Gresik or Sidoarjo. With this programme, they can make use of the Rusunami so that the distance is close to their workplace,” he said.

Bahtiyar said the programme is feasible because the Surabaya city government owns a number of land assets that can be used for rusunami construction.

According to him, several locations have been planned, namely the Ngagel area in Central Surabaya, Tambak Wedi in North Surabaya, and Sememi in West Surabaya.

He said the rusunami must later be prioritised for residents holding Surabaya identity cards.

“The Rusunami must be specifically for residents with Surabaya ID cards. Collaboration with the central government or with the private sector. The Rusunami programme will be aligned with the priority programme of President Prabowo Subianto through the Ministry of Public Housing, where the construction of decent housing can be collaborated on,” he said.