KUALA LUMPUR: The government is redefining affordable housing by moving beyond price-based metrics and placing stronger emphasis on liveability, quality of life and human dignity, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said.
He said the revised approach, which will be embedded under the upcoming National Housing Policy 3.0 (DRN 3.0), reflects the reality that affordability should not be measured solely by a household’s ability to purchase a home, but also by whether the home is safe, healthy and suitable for long-term living.
“The government views housing not merely as a physical structure or a matter of supply figures, but as a fundamental pillar of human wellbeing and dignity,” he told the Dewan Rakyat in a written reply.
Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hussein (BN-Sembrong) had asked whether the existing definition of affordable housing remains relevant to the actual income levels of the people, particularly in major cities.
Nga said the new policy direction adopts what the ministry terms Humanising Housing, an approach that places equal importance on mental health, safety, access to green spaces, social integration and proximity to essential amenities.
He said this shift is particularly relevant for urban areas, where rising land prices and living costs have widened the gap between income levels and actual housing needs.
Under the revised framework, the definition and pricing of affordable housing will be determined in a more localised manner, taking into account regional income levels, demand-supply dynamics and the specific characteristics of each area.
This, he said, would ensure that homes labelled as “affordable” are genuinely aligned with the financial capacity and living needs of local communities, especially in major cities.
Nga added that the ministry is also considering the long-term implications of housing development on market stability and the national financial system, while ensuring urban sustainability and overall quality of life remain central to policy decisions.
“Homes must be designed to support family growth, children’s learning, workers’ wellbeing and a dignified life for senior citizens,” he said, stressing that the government aims to avoid pushing households into unsustainable debt in the pursuit of home ownership.
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