Affordable homes next to LRT to be launched this year

The first phase of the development of affordable homes next to three light rail transit (LRT) stations in the Klang Valley is scheduled to be launched in the third or fourth quarters of this year.

The development is expected to be completed within the next three years.

1Malaysia People's Housing Programme (PR1MA) Corp Chief Executive Officer Datuk Abdul Mutalib Alias said the project is part of a strategic partnership between PR1MA and Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd to build affordable homes for middle income earners in altogether six LRT locations in the Klang Valley.

Discussions are ongoing for the development of 2,000 units near the LRT stations of Jelatek, Glenmarie (Subang) and Putra Heights.

"For the first phase, a total of 2,000 PR1MA homes will be built in Pandan Jaya, Pandan Indah and Taman Cempaka, on a 7.04-hectare land," he told a media briefing here Thursday.

He said the initial three locations have a high concentration of middle income earners and the development is targeted more at young individuals and families looking to own their first home.

"Our apartments units will be sized between 750 sq ft for 1+1 bedroom studio-plus units and 1,200 sq ft for 3+1 bedroom units," he added.

Abdul Mutalib said the prices of the homes would be announced at a later date, but PR1MA was committed to ensuring that it would be 20 per cent cheaper than the prevailing market price of similar units in the areas of development.

"We expect strong demand from the public for these units due to their prime location and easy access to the LRT network," he added.

Those interested in applying for the units can register at www.pr1ma.my.

Prasarana Group Managing Director Datuk Shahril Mokhtar said the company was honoured to work with PR1MA to develop affordable houses that provide excellent public transport connectivity for the people.

"In addition to enhancing the public transportation system, we are committed to doing the same for the quality of life of the people by building quality homes and commercial facilities on the land around our LRT stations," he added.

Citing an example of the same kind of development in Hong Kong, Shahril said the "Transit Oriented Development Projects" would bring about a new lifestyle for Malaysians.