DUN Sarawak: 20,000 households will benefit from rental assistance of RM200 a month

KUCHING, 12 Oct: As many as 20,000 households in Sarawak are targeted to receive benefits of the Sarawak Rental Assistance Scheme through an allocation of RM48 million in Sarawak Budget 2027, with eligibility expanded to households earning RM5,504 and below.

Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the scheme provides rent assistance of RM200 a month to alleviate the financial burden of people especially those faced with housing cost pressures.

He said that the expansion of the scheme also involves more districts to ensure that aid can be disseminated to more eligible households.

"For households facing rental pressure, Sarawak Rent Assistance Scheme provides rent assistance of RM200 per month, with eligibility expanded to households earning RM5,504 and below as well as coverage extended to more districts", he said.

He said this when presenting the Sarawak Budget 2027 at the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Conference, today.

In the meantime, the Government of Sarawak also continued the Housing Deposit and Reimbursement Assistance Scheme which provides financial assistance of RM10,000 to eligible first home buyers in B40 and M40 groups.

In order to help these people tackle the challenge of obtaining final financing for home purchase, RM40 million has been allocated in 2027 through Pearl Mortgage and Credit to provide affordable housing financing facilities.

In addition, RM65 million has been allocated to the Sarawak Poor People's Housing Repair Program (MRP-PPRMS) to repair daif homes, thus ensuring that families in need can enjoy safer and more comfortable housing.

For long-term housing communities, the government provides Long-term Home Loan Schemes in the form of building materials and non-interest-bearing hardware.

The scheme offers a loan of RM30,000 for each door to repair existing long houses, while RM50,000 for each door is available for the construction of new long houses.

Overall, the various housing initiatives reflect the commitment of the Government of Sarawak to expand access to affordable and comfortable housing, as well as alleviate the cost-of-living burden of people through rental assistance, home ownership support, financing facilities and housing improvement programs.