The government should conduct a national housing survey which could help local authorities in planning housing programmes at mukim level based on demand and land suitability, said Khazanah Research Institute (KRI).
KRI research director, Dr Suraya Ismail said the survey would be best undertaken by the National Housing Department (JPN) as well as the Federal Town and Country Planning Department (JPBD).
“The survey should include demand-side analysis, covering the distinct demographic patterns whether mukims consist predominantly of young dependents and families, working populations or retirees, and income,” said Suraya during a forum ‘Making Housing Affordable’.
“On supply-side analysis, a land suitability assessment should be done including the current land-use patterns and zones.”
She noted that both the demand and supply conditions can be analysed to determine the appropriate policy for each state and district level.
“Among the possible outputs of the survey are population forecasts, housing demand range, migration patterns, household size by housing type, social housing against social economic variables, and land suitability for different housing types.”
She added that the information gathered in the survey would also provide the general public with the necessary knowledge to make better house-buying decisions.
“As housing consumes a significant proportion of their household incomes, the public needs to be able to plan for the purchase and to choose between different types of houses at different prices, which in turn will lead to better financial planning on their part as well.”
Meanwhile, the responsibility of building social housing does not only rest on the government but to private developers as well, said Datuk Soam Heng Choon, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of IJM Corporation Berhad.
“The mentality of the society now is, the government should provide affordable houses for the people as it is their responsibility. But, housing must be viewed as an economic sector and not as a social welfare concern,” he said.
“If the private developers is taking the responsibility to build the social housing it is not only to generate profits but also to help the government and public policy makers to focus more on the other matters.”
Image sourced from Bajet.Com
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