Low-cost housing 'not living up to their names'
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Yangon MPs have criticised a number of government low-cost housing projects for being too expensive for working class families.
“Yangon City Development Council [YCDC] said they would accomplish the housing projects to match citizens’ income standard. But at present the housing projects are impractical for working-class people,” San San, MP for southern Dagon Myothit Township, said during the special session on urban poverty reduction during April 23-30.
At Bo Min Yaung and Bo Ba Htoo projects, in northern Dagon Myothit Township, a room will be sold for between US$25,000 and US$30,000. Other projects in Dagon Seikkan Township are to cost over US$20,000 a unit.
“In Yangon, 70 per cent of people’s income is used for accommodation. Even in suburban townships, the rent is at least Ks 30,000 (US$30) for a tiny place to live in. The low-cost housing is not practical for working-class people,” San San added.
Many urban families have resorted to squatting to avoid the extortionate prices landlords are charging for accommodation.
While many feel that low-cost houses unaffordable, those staying in rented apartments have faced a hike in rents.
Since April, civil servants and the general public renting units from the Department of Human Settlement and House Development have had to pay more for their accommodation.
“The rents were too low, levied since the time of Myanmar Socialist Programme Party and some in the time of State Law and Order Restoration Council. Because of poor maintenance, the buildings are old and don’t fit the city features,” said Khin Sein, deputy chief director for the Department of Human Settlement and Housing Development.
He furthered that with the higher rents, the buildings would be renovated. “As we were ordered to find the budget for the maintenance, we considered lifting the rents to a suitable rate,” he said.
