By: Loa Murib
Renovating decent housing in Papua is not just a physical housing program, but rather a major government strategy to accelerate equitable development and improve the quality of life for the people of Papua. Amidst various geographic, social, and economic challenges, integrated housing policies between the central and regional governments are a crucial foundation for ensuring that prosperity is not concentrated solely in urban areas in western Indonesia but also reaches the eastern regions equitably and sustainably.
This commitment emerged during the Coordination Meeting for the Acceleration of Housing and Settlement Development held at the Ministry of Home Affairs office in Jakarta. Home Affairs Minister Muhammad Tito Karnavian affirmed his support for the Three Million Homes program, an initiative of President Prabowo Subianto. The program is considered strategic because it targets the basic needs of the community, particularly low-income groups, by providing affordable and livable housing.
The push for local governments to maximize the program’s opportunities is a strong signal that housing development cannot proceed in a piecemeal manner. Tito Karnavian believes that regional heads have a direct responsibility to elevate the dignity of the community by providing adequate housing. Regulatory support is also strengthened by the policy of exempting low-income communities from Building Approval and Land and Building Acquisition Fees, which must be stipulated through regional head regulations. This step demonstrates that accelerating development is not only a matter of budget, but also of streamlining bureaucracy and policy alignment.
Optimizing Public Service Malls in the regions is also a crucial tool for reducing the time and costs of permitting. With a faster and more transparent process, housing construction for low-income communities can be accelerated without the hassle of lengthy administrative procedures. This collaborative approach between the central and regional governments is key to ensuring national programs truly have a tangible impact on the ground.
In Papua, the response to the policy appears progressive. Papua Governor Matius D. Fakhiri stated that the provincial government is ready to boost housing assistance programs through various schemes, ranging from subsidized housing and renovating uninhabitable homes to constructing flats. This statement emphasized that the regional government is not merely an implementer but also an active partner in designing solutions that align with the socio-cultural characteristics of the Papuan people.
Data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) shows that housing demand in Papua remains quite high. This is due to the social reality where multiple generations often live in a single home. In Papuan culture, which values kinship ties, multigenerational housing is commonplace. However, limited space and inadequate building quality can impact family health, comfort, and productivity.
Therefore, the target of housing construction and renovation in Papua by 2026 is a strategic step. Approximately 14,000 housing units are planned to be built through various assistance schemes, with the initial phase involving the renovation of approximately 2,100 uninhabitable houses, beginning in March. The budget allocation for this initial phase demonstrates a clear priority for improving the quality of housing for the lower classes. Renovating slum homes not only improves the physical structure of the building but also restores the self-confidence and dignity of its residents.
In addition to renovations, the construction of five apartment units in Jayapura City, Jayapura Regency, and Keerom Regency demonstrates an adaptive approach to the needs of urban areas in Papua. The apartments provide a solution to limited land and provide opportunities for more orderly and planned residential development. Synergy with housing offices and relevant ministries demonstrates that this program is systematically designed, not sporadically.
This accelerated pace also has broad economic implications. The housing sector has a multiplier effect on regional economic growth, from absorbing construction labor, increasing demand for local building materials, to the growth of small businesses in the surrounding development areas. Therefore, the home renovation and construction program in Papua is not only a social policy but also an economic stimulus that stimulates regional economic activity.
The central government’s commitment through regulatory support and fiscal policies, combined with the commitment of local governments to data collection and program execution, creates a promising combination. Collaboration across ministries and agencies, including the use of accurate statistical data, ensures that aid reaches the right targets and addresses the real needs of the community.
Renovating decent housing for Papua is ultimately not just about building new walls and roofs. This policy symbolizes the state’s tangible presence in the community, especially for those who have traditionally lived under hardship. When homes are more suitable, neighborhoods are more organized, and access to property becomes easier, the foundation of prosperity becomes stronger. This is a strategy for accelerating equitable development that is not only visible in target figures but also directly felt in the daily lives of Papuans.
*The author is a Papuan student in East Java