Implementation of affordable housing programmes in Johor, Malaysia for sustainable housing

Abstract

Sustainability in housing includes the concept of housing affordability that revolves around the elements of sustainable housing affordability. Affordable housing provision could be discussed under the context of social equity where it demonstrates the ability of all segments of the population to have access to housing. Housing production in Malaysia is mostly dominated by private sector developers and is generally based on supply and demand in the open market. Government intervention in the form of policies and programmes that include affordable housing programmes were introduced to assist all segment of population to have access to housing. This study looks at the implementation of these programmes in the state of Johor, Malaysia. The objectives of this paper are to define housing sustainability through implementation of affordable housing programmes; to determine if these programmes comply with the concept of sustainable housing affordability. Finally, general issues on its implementation will be identified. Findings indicates that the concept of the housing programmes introduced fulfils the criteria for sustainable housing affordability, such as in terms of its price, quality of house, specifications, proximity to facilities and to work place. Some of the main issues identified on its implementation at state and local government can be summarised as the existence of separation of jurisdictions and authorities between the federal and state governments; conflicting requirement for policies between state and federal government and lack of specific Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), which contributes towards delays in the overall development process.