Affordable homes for the needy at Rifle Range Flats

As reported in The Star. 

Affordable homes for the needy

ALL units in two blocks of Rifle Range flats in Penang which were formerly used as army quarters have been rented out to the needy.

The keys to the remaining 77 units, all one-bedroom flats, were given out to applicants who comprised the poor, the disabled, senior citizens and single parents.

A total of 93 two-bedroom units were rented out last year.

The two 16-storey blocks (E and J) with 170 units were once army quarters but left vacant for more than 10 years after the soldiers moved out, said Penang Town and Country Planning, Housing and Arts Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai.

He said the state government spent more than RM400,000 to repair, refurbish and repaint both blocks in stages from 2008 to 2011.

He said the flats were rented out at a minimal cost of RM90 for a one-bedroom unit and RM110 for a two-bedroom unit.

Wong was speaking to reporters after handing out keys to the 77 successful applicants recently at the Penang Municipal Council hall in Rifle Range.

Stroke patient Chong Loy Kwong, 46, said he could now heave a sigh of relief as he, his wife and four children could now stay at a flat for only RM90 per month.

He currently rents a unit for RM400 in Bandar Baru Air Itam.
Chong, who gives English language tuition to support his family, said it was a good initiative by the authorities to ease the burden of the poor.

Single father Hussin Ahmad, 58, said he previously paid RM400 for a single-bedroom flat in Kuala Sri Pinang.

“I can now save up for other things as my salary as a security guard is not much plus I have three school-going children to care for,” said Hussin.

Single mother Ang Yeok Heang, 63, said she was thankful that her burden had been lightened.

Wong, in his speech at the key handing-over ceremony, said the initiative to rent out the flats was part of the state government’s effort in providing affordable homes at minimal rental cost for those who needed such homes.

Apart from the RM400,000 spent on refurbishing the two blocks, Wong said RM250,000 more was spent to refurbish, repaint and upgrade units in six more blocks in Rifle Range.

“Repair works on the sewer system and pipes have also started in all high-rise blocks there,” he added.