SHAH ALAM, Aug 16 — The increase of Smart Sewa Scheme units to 3,000 by 2030 is a strategy to help tenants boost their financial capacity before transitioning to home ownership, said Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) urban and regional planning/community development lecturer Mohammad Mujaheed Hassan.
He added that the rental period under the scheme would give tenants time to plan their finances and prepare themselves before taking on the commitment of buying a home.
“This step is strategic as a starting point, but the state government must look into housing demand data by location to ensure units provided truly meet the people’s needs.
“Location plays a very important role, after the offer price, as it determines residents’ access to employment, public facilities and basic services,” he told Media Selangor.
He also said the mechanism introduced by the Selangor Housing and Property Board (LPHS), which sets aside 30 per cent of rental paid as savings, could also help tenants build their savings to buy a home.
He added that the approach not only provides financial benefits but also encourages tenants to be more disciplined in managing their cash flow before committing to a home purchase.
“Tenants have time to plan their finances, improve their financial records and settle other debts first before being ready to make a commitment to purchase a home.
“This indirectly helps reduce the financial burden when they eventually commit to owning a home, while also ensuring their finances are more stable,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mujaheed urged the public to take advantage of housing initiatives under the Second Selangor Plan (RS-2), especially those not yet financially able to buy a home.
The state government previously said it would increase Smart Sewa units to 3,000 by 2030 to help those ineligible for housing loans.
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari earlier said LPHS would help tenants save part of their Smart Sewa rental payments and return the amount to tenants for them to use as downpayment.
