KUCHING: The state government today launched the Housing Deposit Assistance Scheme (HDAS), which offers a maximum RM10,000 deposit for low- and middle-income households to own their first home.
Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg said the scheme would be managed by Mutiara Mortgage & Credit Sdn Bhd (Mutiara), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Housing Development Corporation (HDC).
He said the state government will provide 10 per cent (of the house value) or a maximum of RM10,000 for first-time homeowners under the B40 and M40 groups – for them to pay their deposits.
"We are the first (state) government to offer up to RM10,000 for our people to pay for their deposit when purchasing their first home and they don't have to repay the government," he said at the launch held here today.
"As such, we hope our people can own a house at a younger age and not have to pay as much in monthly instalments for their housing loans (as they will be eligible for a longer loan tenure)," he said.
He said many youths were facing difficulties to buy a house as they did not have enough money to pay for the deposit.
The Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), he said, understands and always strives to provide adequate, quality, comfortable and affordable housing facilities to meet the needs of all people in Sarawak.
He said the government is committed to improve the quality of life of the people and ensure no one is left behind from enjoying the rapid development in the state.
Therefore, the state has allocated RM10 million for the scheme this year and will increase the amount if there are more applications. He added that applicants must be first time homebuyers and purchase housing projects approved by Mutiara.
Abang Johari said HDAS was also extended to those who want to build houses on their own land, where the land ownership must be allocated by the Land and Survey Department under the Resettlement Scheme (SPS) and Village Expansion Scheme (SPK).
"We hope to help the people of Sarawak, including those in the rural areas, in terms of increasing their household disposable incomes (net disposable income) as well as wealth creation and to reduce poverty," he said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian said the Sarawak government targets to build 2,391 units of affordable houses through HDC under "Rumah Spektra Permata" under the RMK12 (2021-2025) for between RM90,000 to RM160,000 each.
For that purpose, the state government will strengthen bank financing through Mutiara, by providing the capital for loans to house buyers.
"The main function of Mutiara is to provide quality financial services and affordable schemes to support low-income group house ownership in Sarawak," he said.
Sim, who is also the Public Health, Housing and Local Government Minister said it is the state government's hope for every resident in the state to be able to afford a house to call their home.
"I promise as part of this administration, we will continue to study various ways for the people not just to afford a house but also to have an environment that is liveable and sustainable," he added.
Also taking place at the event today was a symbolic handover of the Bantuan Khas Sarawakku Sayang (BKSS 8.0) package, which is worth RM285.47 million to help reduce the burden of the people affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
