PAPUA – The government is accelerating the renovation of thousands of uninhabitable houses in Papua as a concrete manifestation of equitable development and a commitment to bringing prosperity to eastern Indonesia. This program is a strategic part of the national housing agenda, which places decent housing as a foundation for improving people’s quality of life.
This measure aligns with the Three Million Homes Program initiated by President Prabowo Subianto. At the Coordination Meeting on the Acceleration of Housing and Residential Development at the Ministry of Home Affairs, Minister Muhammad Tito Karnavian emphasized that regional governments are required to act quickly and responsively to support the program’s implementation.
“This program isn’t just about building homes, but about building the future of the community. Adequate housing is a fundamental right of citizens and a government priority,” said Tito Karnavian.
The central government also provides concrete regulatory support by exempting low-income communities from Building Approval (PBG) and Land and Building Acquisition Tax (BPHTB). This policy is stipulated through regional head regulations to ensure more effective and targeted implementation. Optimizing Public Service Malls also expedites the permitting process, allowing development to begin immediately.
In Papua, this program is being implemented progressively. By 2026, approximately 14,000 housing units are planned for construction, including 2,100 housing renovations in the initial phase, which began in March. Additionally, five apartment buildings are being built in Jayapura City, Jayapura Regency, and Keerom Regency as a modern and well-planned housing solution in urban areas.
Papua Governor Matius D. Fakhiri expressed the provincial government’s full readiness to support this acceleration. “We are committed to ensuring that assistance for home renovations and construction is on target. This is a crucial opportunity to improve the quality of life for the Papuan people,” he said.
Data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) shows that the government continues to prioritize housing needs in Papua. Therefore, the approach adopted includes not only new construction but also comprehensive renovations to ensure homes meet health and safety standards.
This program also has a significant economic impact. Construction activities employ local workers and stimulate the building materials sector. Thus, the benefits are felt directly by the community, both through improved housing quality and regional economic growth.
The acceleration of home renovations in Papua confirms that the national development transformation is inclusive and equitable. With increasingly solid synergy between the central and regional governments, Papua is moving toward a more prosperous future through the basic foundations of life: decent, healthy, and dignified housing.