Sarawak govt to consider expanding Housing Deposit and Repayment Scheme as demand for more housing soars

Dr Sim Kui Hian speaking at the Sheda Property Expo 2024. Photo credit: Ukas

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Sept 7: The Sarawak government is considering expanding the Housing Deposit and Repayment Scheme (HDRAS), including assessing the levy amount contributed by developers to address the imbalance of housing supply and demand.

According to a news report by Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas), Deputy Premier Dato Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, who is also Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Sarawak said the imbalance is caused by a significant gap between the number of houses available and required.

“Currently, there are more than 100,000 unoccupied houses in Sarawak, due to the migration of people from rural to urban areas.

“Out of more than 800,000 houses in Sarawak, only about 700,000 households are occupied. This means we have a significant gap to address,” he said when representing Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg to officiate the Sarawak Housing Real Estate Developers’s Association (Sheda) Property Expo 2024 held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) yesterday.

Dr Sim assured that the Premier will comprehensively address issues related to real estate development and affordable housing in Sarawak.

He added that the Sarawak government has a plan to develop affordable housing in line with its goals towards economic prosperity, social inclusivity and environmental sustainability. — DayakDaily