Sheda: Housing Deposit Assistance Scheme poised to help recovery of housing industry

Augustine Wong

KUCHING, Oct 13: Sarawak Housing and Real Estate Developers’ Association (Sheda) welcomes the Sarawak government’s initiative to set up the Housing Deposit Assistance Scheme to assist B40 and M40 first-time home buyers.

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg had announced in the Sarawak Budget 2022 that the Housing Deposit Assistance Scheme will be set up by the State government to assist B40 and M40 first-time home buyers with RM10,000 for the payment of housing deposits.

According to Sheda president Augustine Wong, Sheda is pleased that State government is receptive to its proposals for the State government in providing some financial relief specifically for the B40 and M40 groups who are first-time home buyers in the form of housing deposits.

“Such a scheme would not only encourage and enable the focused groups to have their own roof over their heads, but it would also accelerate the recovery of the housing industry in the State,” he said in a statement today.

Wong noted that during the association’s previous courtesy call on Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, Sheda had highlighted the negative impact of Covid-19 and the need for the State to assist the critically cashflow strapped B40 and M40 groups, who want to own homes but have been stripped off their savings during the pandemic.

He said with the encouragement from the State government, Sheda sat down with Mutiara Mortgage and pursued the proposal via engagement sessions and a dialogue session with the State Financial Secretary Office.

“Sheda has been most delighted to note that the engagements have been fruitful with the announcement by the chief minister that the deposit assistance scheme would be managed by Mutiara Mortgage and Credit Sdn Bhd (Mutiara).

“Sheda will continue to work with Mutiara should there be a need to expand the collaboration further,” he added. — DayakDaily