Bangsa Johor rental deposit assistance to be introduced next year, says MB

JOHOR BAHRU (Aug 15): The Johor government is expected to introduce the RM1,000 Bangsa Johor rental deposit assistance next year to help people in the state who face difficulties coming up with the upfront payment for accommodation.

Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi (pictured) said the initiative, implemented through the Johor State Housing Development Corporation (PKPJ), is being introduced in response to complaints from tenants who face difficulties paying the upfront amount or rental deposit.

He said applications for the initiative would also be open to federal civil servants serving in Johor, such as teachers, nurses, medical officers, police personnel and members of the armed forces.

“Apart from rental assistance, there have been calls for the government to consider rental deposit assistance, especially for those who have just started working...perhaps many of them cannot afford it yet.

“We want to expand this assistance so that it benefits not only Bangsa Johor but also those who have recently moved to Johor, particularly federal civil servants. They serve in Johor, are part of Bangsa Johor and are working for us,” he said.

He said this at a press conference after the Phase 5 of the Perumahan Kasih Johor Initiative ceremony at the Larkin Indoor Arena Stadium here on Saturday.

Onn Hafiz said the first phase of the rental deposit assistance would target about 10,000 recipients.

Eligible recipients would also be entitled to Rental Assistance of RM2,500, bringing the total assistance available to RM3,500 per person. Eligibility covers individuals residing and working in the state.

He said further details, as well as new housing products, would be announced during the tabling of the Johor Budget in November.

At Saturday’s ceremony, RM22 million was allocated for Phase 5, covering 6,000 recipients of various housing assistance schemes, while Phase 6, scheduled for next month, is expected to benefit another 5,000 recipients.

Overall, the Johor government has spent RM337 million on its housing agenda since 2022, benefitting nearly 100,000 recipients statewide.

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