Kuala Lumpur:Aiming to boost first-home ownership, the Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) has announced a RM20 billion financing guarantee as part of Budget 2027. This initiative is expected to benefit 80,000 citizens, focusing on first-time homebuyers, especially young people and those without a fixed income.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, KPKT Secretary-General Datuk Dr. M Noor Azman Taib explained that the Housing Credit Guarantee Scheme (SJKP) will enable individuals without a fixed salary, including gig economy workers, to secure housing loans with a government guarantee. Since its inception in 2008, the SJKP has aided over 124,000 people, with more than 34 percent aged between 26 and 30 years.

For 2027, the government is also allocating RM500 million for the people's housing project (RMR) programme, aiming to develop around 6,800 new housing units for those who own land but lack the financial means to build homes. Additionally, the people's residency programme (PRR) intends to deliver approximately 1,200 housing units across four projects in Johor, Negeri Sembilan, Terengganu, and Melaka, benefiting nearly 7,000 households.

M Noor Azman also highlighted the Bandar MADANI Bukit Jalil development, which will feature about 17,000 residential units, along with educational, healthcare, and safety facilities, over a period of 10 to 15 years. This development will include road and traffic infrastructure upgrades to support the growing population.

For strata buildings, the government has earmarked over RM40 million for lift-related maintenance, emphasizing the importance of residents contributing to maintenance fees for shared facilities like elevators, water tanks, and roofs.

Furthermore, Budget 2027 includes a RM700 million allocation to enhance public facilities in collaboration with 156 local authorities. This funding will address infrastructure repairs and improvements to drainage, recreational parks, public toilets, markets, and hawker stalls. In 2025, RM495.3 million was used for 3,365 projects nationwide, with RM560 million spent on similar projects this year.

To mitigate flash flood risks in urban areas, KPKT has received RM320 million to upgrade and maintain high-risk locations, including retention ponds and slopes, with 1,445 flood hotspots identified countrywide.

The KPKT's allocation in Budget 2027 totals RM6.355 billion, marking a 4.38 percent increase over the previous year. This reflects the government's dedication to advancing housing programs, infrastructure development, and public welfare.