Affordable Housing for First-Time Homebuyers: Issues and Implications from the Malaysian Experience

Abstract

There is little evidence to inform discussion of the challenges of meeting housing needs of first-time homebuyers in conditions of rapid urbanisation in Malaysia. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the challenges of promoting home ownership for first-time Malaysian homebuyers. This paper also offers suggestions regarding sustainable housing provision for them to own their home. In order to achieve sustainability in the housing delivery system, affordable housing schemes must be economically viable, socially acceptable and technically feasible. Government should be transparent about logistics, location, pricing and implementation to ensure that there is action behind the words.

Keywords:

• urbanisation
• homeownership
• affordable housing
• Greater Kuala Lumpur
• Malaysia