37 buyers receive housing deposit assistance to buy homes

Tiang (third left) handing over a HDAS approval letter to a Sri Pertiwi Samariang Avenue home buyer.

By Nancy Nais

KUCHING, June 13: A total of 37 Sri Pertiwi Samariang Avenue home buyers have been approved by the Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Sarawak as of to-date to receive the Sarawak government’s Housing Deposit Assistance Scheme (HDAS).

Hornbill Networks Consortium managing director Hanizam Hashim disclosed that there are 23 more home buyers who have yet to get their approval.

“Thus we are seeking the cooperation and continuous support of the Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government to expedite and approve the (applications of) 23 home buyers of the Sri Pertiwi Samariang Avenue homes before Hari Raya Aidiladha which falls on July 10 as a special gift for them and enable them to enjoy the HDAS subsidy,” Hanizam said at the official handing over of approval letters to successful applicants by Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government Michael Tiang Ming Tee today.

These home buyers qualified to receive RM10,000 as deposit payment for their home, thus making their dreams of becoming homeowners a reality.

As announced by Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg on Feb 7, HDAS will provide cash assistance of up to RM 10,000 to B40 and M40 home buyers to pay housing deposits.

This will be managed by Mutiara Mortgage & Credit Sdn Bhd and is applicable to all affordable housing projects sanctioned by the Sarawak government such as the Sri Pertiwi Samariang Avenue homes.

Despite the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic and Russia-Ukraine war, Hanizam said it is the consortium’s hope that it will be able to keep these uncertain times at bay and continue to persevere towards completing its ongoing maiden project which is the Sri Pertiwi Samariang Avenue affordable housing projects and as well as others.

He disclosed that they will be using the Industrialised Building System (IBS) in order to decrease waiting time for house buyers to move into their new homes.

“This project consists of 90 units of affordable homes that will be equipped with Sarawak’s first private development using Google Smart Home System in collaboration with Centexs (Centre of Technical Excellence Sarawak).

“We have seen an encouraging response for this project and have fully sold all the Samariang Avenue homes. Hopefully we will launch our 2nd Phase that is Samariang Avenue 2 by June 2023 next year,” Hanizam added.

He also hoped to provide quality homes with IBS innovation and that more Sarawakians can accept their philosophy of quality homes at great prices.

To be eligible for the Sri Pertiwi housing scheme, applicants must be either Sarawakian citizens or permanent residents of Sarawak from the B40 and M40 groups and have gross household incomes of between RM4,000 to RM10,000 monthly.

The maximum selling price for a Sri Pertiwi terrace houses is RM270,000 for an intermediate unit, and RM295,000 for a corner unit, while the Sri Pertiwi terrace house unit consists of 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a living area, a dining room and a kitchen with the minimum floor area of 900sq/ft. — DayakDaily