The new Rumah Mesra Rakyat (RMR) low cost housing units to be built next year will be larger, cheaper and “green” as well.
Syarikat Perumahan Negara Bhd (SPNB) managing director Datuk Dr Kamarul Rashdan Salleh said a prototype model of the environmentally-friendly unit was being completed.
“We have been told to come up with better designs than the existing one.
“The new models will have features to maintain a cool temperature inside to help reduce power usage,” he said after a key presentation ceremony to a fire victim in Kampung Tersusun Sri Klebang yesterday.
“There will also be a built-in rainwater collecting system where water can be stored in a tank,” he said, adding that building materials for these units would also be environment friendly.
The RMR programme was initiated to assist those earning RM1,500 and below who face difficulty in obtaining housing loans from financial institutions.
Dr Kamarul said there would be four models of units to choose from.
“Each will have three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The size of the units will be increased from the present 866 sq ft to 1,000 sq ft,” he said.
He said the price would be RM65,000 per unit, RM5,000 cheaper than the existing units.
He also said the Government had announced a RM200mil allocation under Budget 2012 to subsidise about RM20,000 per unit.
“We will build 10,000 RMR units next year. The people will only need to pay about RM45,000 for one unit,” he said, adding that instalments would also be interest-free.
