SHAH ALAM, Aug 21 — Selangor’s plan to increase the number of Smart Sewa units to 3,000 has been welcomed as a positive step towards helping those who cannot yet afford to own a home or qualify for housing loans.
National House Buyers Association (HBA) honorary secretary-general Datuk Chang Kim Loong said the scheme enables this group to live in comfortable homes at affordable rents while giving them time to improve their financial position.
“Tenants can live in comfortable homes at affordable rental rates while building their savings, improving their financial position and preparing themselves for when they are able to own a home.
“Not everyone needs to own a home immediately, but everyone still needs a comfortable, safe and affordable place to live within their financial means,” he told Media Selangor.
Chang said the additional units would also complement efforts to provide affordable homes for purchase by offering an alternative to those who are not yet ready to own a property.
He said the state government should continue pursuing a balanced housing strategy by providing both affordable homes for purchase and affordable rental housing to meet people’s needs according to their financial means.
The state government previously announced a target of increasing the number of Smart Sewa units to 3,000 by 2030 under the Second Selangor Plan (RS-2) to help those who have yet to qualify for housing financing.
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari previously said a portion of tenants’ rental payments would be retained by the Selangor Housing and Property Board (LPHS) before being returned to them as a down payment when they are ready to purchase a home.
