Rental freeze for PPR flats extended to end-2022 as PM launches new housing scheme

The moratorium programme on rental payments for residents of People’s Housing Projects or PPRs will continue until the end of 2022, the government announced today.

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the extension would apply to all existing PPR residents under the regulation and management of the housing and local government ministry.

“This measure is expected to benefit some 10,000 heads of households or 50,000 PPR residents,” he said in his speech at the launch of the Malaysian Family Housing Initiative, adding that it would involve some RM18.84 million on the part of the government.

He said the Malaysian Family Housing Initiative or Rumah Ikram Keluarga Malaysia was intended to help those who had suffered a loss or reduction of income or job loss and could no longer afford to pay high rental.

He said 1,000 units of housing have been provided as a starting point in PPR areas around Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Kedah, Kelantan and Johor at a minimum rental rate of RM124 per month for a maximum of two years.

He added that this would be increased to 2,000 units in a move expected to benefit at least 10,000 households in need.

Ismail said beneficiaries of the initiative would also be given a six-month exemption from payment in a move involving some RM3 million to be borne by the government.