SHAH ALAM, July 21 — Young adults continue to dominate first-home purchases in Selangor, accounting for nearly 90 per cent of applications under the Rumah Selangorku affordable housing programme from 2018 to April this year.
Selangor Housing and Property Board (LPHS) offer and marketing unit chief Mohd Azuan Sharani said most buyers were between 18 and 40 years old, with its data indicating that 56 percent of applicants were aged between 18 and 29, while another 35 per cent were between 30 and 40.
"The trend proves that Rumah Selangorku remains the top choice for young people who want to own a home despite facing challenges related to the rising cost of living and housing financing.
"About 90 per cent of first-time homebuyers are young people. This shows that interest among this group in owning a home is actually very high," he told Media Selangor.
Azuan added that the highest demand was for Rumah Selangorku Categories B, C, D, and E, which offer units ranging from 700 to 1,000 square feet, with most featuring three bedrooms.
These categories are believed to be the most popular because they provide larger living spaces that better suit the needs of young couples and growing families.
Based on an LPHS study, he said that location remains the most important consideration for buyers when choosing a home, followed by the size of the property, affordability, and the facilities available.
However, Azuan acknowledged that the biggest obstacle preventing young people from owning a home is not a lack of interest, but difficulties in securing financing and overall fiscal affordability.
Moreover, some applicants are unable to obtain bank loans, while others are hesitant to apply for financing despite having the intention to purchase a home.
To address this, the state government introduced the Smart Sewa scheme through LPHS to help eligible participants save towards the down payment for their future home purchase.
Under the programme, tenants may live in a Rumah Selangorku unit for up to five years and receive a refund equivalent to 30 per cent of the total rent paid, which can be used as a down payment when purchasing a home in the future.
LPHS has also strengthened its Rent-To-Own scheme, which is aimed at individuals who do not meet conventional bank loan requirements, with a target of delivering 3,000 units by 2030.
He said the initiatives are expected to help more young people achieve their dream of owning their first home in Selangor.
