S’gor mulls housing quota for vulnerable groups

Selangor government may introduce affordable housing quotas specifically tailored for vulnerable groups such as single mothers.

State women and family empowerment, welfare and care economy committee chairman Anfaal Saari (pic) said giving access to home ownership would provide a much-needed lifeline for those struggling to find stable and secure housing.

She said a study on “empowering women through home ownership in Selangor” was being carried out by Selangor Housing and Property Board (LPHS) in collaboration with Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) to come up with a proposal to increase home ownership.

“This (special quota) proposal has been raised before in the state assembly, specifically for single mothers, people with disabilities and senior citizens.

“We have affordable housing schemes such as Rumah Selangorku.

“I believe this housing scheme can also provide special quotas for these groups.”

Anfaal said this after launching a legal awareness programme on property ownership at a resort in Kuala Selangor that was attended by some 200 women.

The programme was organised by LPHS and Wanita Berdaya Selangor (WBS), which is a subsidiary of Menteri Besar Incorporated set up to implement programmes under the Selangor Women and Family Development standing committee.

During the event, participants also gave input for the home ownership study.

Anfaal said there was currently little data on property ownership among women in Selangor.

“With this study, we will be able to identify issues and propose solutions, which could include special quotas.

“This is part of the state’s efforts to ensure gender equality for sustainable socio-economic development.”

She said the study targeted some 1,000 respondents across Selangor and was expected to be completed by the end of month.

Also present during the event was LPHS senior assistant director (operations development) Nor Hanizan Sahib and WBS chief executive officer Rawiyiah Zakaria.