KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 11 — Providing homeownership assistance, particularly for youths and gig workers, is among the key priorities of the National Housing Policy (DRN) 2026-2035, ensuring greater access to affordable housing.

Ministry of Housing and Local Government (known by its Malay initials KPKT) Deputy Secretary-General (Housing and Urban Wellbeing) Zulkeflee Sulaiman said the Housing Credit Guarantee Scheme (SJKP) was among the mechanisms available to help first-time homebuyers without a fixed income or payslips.

“SJKP can help first-time homebuyers, particularly gig workers who do not have payslips, to secure housing loans, with the Government acting as a guarantor through participating banks.

“The Government wants to make sure young people who want to own their first home are not left behind,” he said when appearing as a guest on Bernama TV’s Ruang Bicara programme here yesterday.

Launched by Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming on Aug 10, the DRN 2026-2035 sets the direction for the national housing sector over the next decade, covering six focus areas, 17 strategies and 59 action plans.

Zulkeflee said the policy also includes measures to address strata management issues, with amendments to the Strata Management Act 2013 expected to be brought to the Government next year before being tabled in Parliament.

Meanwhile, KPKT Housing Planning Division undersecretary J. Murali said the ministry was refining the national affordable housing guidelines, with location being among the factors considered in determining prices.

He said setting RM300,000 as a nationwide benchmark might not be suitable, as affordability and market conditions varied between Kuala Lumpur and states such as Perlis, Sabah and Sarawak.

“We already have the framework and are now refining it. We will come up with national affordable housing guidelines which will be launched later,” he said.

Murali said that, apart from pricing, the ministry was also taking into account tenant welfare, despite the country’s 76 per cent homeownership rate.

As such, he said a Residential Tenancy Act would be introduced to provide clearer protection for tenants while also safeguarding property owners’ interests.

Murali said the DRN 2026-2035 would involve the drafting of three new pieces of legislation, namely the Property Development Act, Building Managers Act and Residential Tenancy Act, as well as amendments to the Strata Management Act 2013. — Bernama