KUCHING: Potential young first-time house buyers have been advised to take advantage of the state government’s Housing Deposit Assistance Scheme (HDAS).
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian said the scheme was a great opportunity and initiative by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg to ease the financial burden of the younger generation (B40 and M40 group) who wished to acquire their first homes.
“If possible, I want every Sarawakian who dreams of purchasing their first home to do it at a young age. The earlier you purchase a home, the earlier your asset’s value would appreciate.
“Our Chief Minister pointed out that it is challenging to fork out a down payment at a young age and this is true. Thus, every Sarawakian should take advantage of this opportunity,” he said this during the Sarawak Housing and Real Estate Developers’ Association (SHEDA) Chinese New Year open house at ZOZO Beans & Booze here on Thursday.
Dr Sim, who is Public Health, Housing and Local Government Minister, lauded SHEDA for its various contributions, particularly in the past two years amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said SHEDA had been actively engaging with his ministry to look into several matters, including the amendment to the Sarawak Building Ordinance (SBO) 1994, to fit the current needs of the community.
“SHEDA with all its professional lawyers, architects and engineers have assisted my ministry on this matter. I am very grateful that organisations banded together to make a better housing policy for fellow Sarawakians.
“I would also like to thank SHEDA for the support given to the amendment to the
strata title management legislationwhich will come into force on March 1. Moreover, SHEDA is also helping to come up with 2,000 houses a year to support the affordable housing scheme,” he said.
Also present during the networking session were advocates, architects, engineers and leading property developers.
