KUCHING: Batu Kawah assemblyman Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian has called on eligible Sarawakians to start applying for the Housing Deposit Assistance Scheme (HDAS).
The aim of HDAS is to provide assistance of up to RM10,000 for first-time homeowners in the B40 and M40 categories for the payment of housing deposits.
“Starting Jan 1, 2022, eligible Sarawakians are entitled RM10,000 for a house deposit when purchasing their first house under the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) state government’s initiative.
“Owning a house is one of the basic needs of everyone, no matter where you are in the world,” said Dr Sim in a Facebook post on Wednesday (Dec 29).
He noted that owning a house was increasingly difficult for the younger generation all over the globe.
“Give it a try as the younger you own a house, the earlier you achieve financial freedom. Be part of the ‘Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE) movement.”
The Sarawak government provided an allocation of RM10 million under the 2022 State Budget for HDAS, which is expected to benefit approximately 1,200 homeowners.
The scheme is managed by Mutiara Mortgage & Credit Sdn Bhd (MUTIARA), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Housing Development Corporation (HDC).
In an earlier statement, the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said applications for HDAS could be made through developers which are on the list of approved projects or schemes by Mutiara.
For owners of land allotted by the Land and Survey Department (JTS) under the Village Expansion Scheme (SPK) and Resettlement Scheme (SPS), applications are also to be made through Mutiara.
Eligible applicants must be Sarawakians or hold Permanent Resident status.
They must also meet the set criteria, including being first-time house buyers from the B40 or M40 categories with a monthly household income range of RM3,729 and below (B40) and between RM3,730 and RM8,649 (M40).
