IN an article by Tim Leonard in theSun on 14 May, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) was reported to be studying several measures to solve the problem of excess units in the [Public Housing Project] (PPR) that have no takers.
We would like to encourage [DBKL] and other authorities in other cities and states in charge of the allocation of low-cost housing to consider single women’s housing needs.
Single women who are poor … are unable to access such housing schemes, which forces them to rent rooms. This increases the vulnerability of single women as complete strangers are able to get information on their lives, where they work, where they come from, and their daily routines.
Often these rooms have doors that cannot be properly secured and privacy issues can also be faced by single women who, because of lack of income, have no other options but to stay [in] and rent such rooms.
We hope that the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development will examine more closely the housing needs of single women, single women who are poor, single women whose income cannot qualify for housing loans for residential houses by private developers, single women who are now more vulnerable to being laid off due to the economic downturn, and single women who migrate to urban areas looking for work.
We applaud [DBKL]’s commitment to reviewing what are the problems faced by potential residents in taking up and staying at the low-cost high rise flats under the PPR, especially on issues of safety, cleanliness and maintenance. Issues of lighting and regular and frequent public transport services should also be reviewed.
Angela M Kuga Thas
Women’s Candidacy Initiative
