By: Arhadi Guhwana )*
Home ownership is a dream for many people around the world, including in Indonesia. However, for most people, achieving this dream is often a big challenge. Various factors such as access to financing, limited land, and complicated administrative processes often become the main obstacles.
One of the main obstacles to owning a home is access to affordable financing. To address this, government programs and private initiatives such as low-interest housing loans or tax subsidies could provide a significant boost. Apart from that, education regarding financial management and investment planning is also important so that people can prepare themselves for sustainable home ownership.
Public Housing Savings (Tapera) has become a strategic step taken by the Indonesian government to overcome the challenges of home ownership among the community. Based on Law Number 14 of 2016, Tapera is an instrument that requires residents who are able to own a house to actively participate in social solidarity.
BP Tapera Commissioner, Heru Pudyo Nugroho, emphasized that Tapera’s contribution obligations reflect the spirit of social solidarity, where those who already own homes help those who don’t. This contribution is not only in the form of contributions, but also includes active participation in building social justice through various subsidy facilities, such as the Housing Financing Liquidity Facility (FLPP).
Despite receiving rejection after the revision of Government Regulation Number 21 of 2024, BP Tapera emphasized that there were no plans to cut or open new membership deposits. The current focus is on improving governance to build public trust before the Tapera program is widely implemented in 2027.
The importance of Tapera can also be seen from its inclusivity towards participants who are not from low-income groups but still need assistance to finance home renovations or return principal savings along with the proceeds from their fertilization after the participation period ends.
The government, through the FLPP housing subsidy program from the APBN, has also attempted to deal with the housing backlog which is still a big challenge in Indonesia. With 9.9 million families who do not yet have a home, it is hoped that Tapera’s presence can overcome this backlog more effectively and inclusively.
The President’s Chief of Staff, Moeldoko, highlighted that Tapera has now been expanded from initially only being for ASN, to a program that includes independent and private workers. This allows people from various levels to still have savings to build a house even though they are faced with inflation in the housing sector.
Conceptually, Tapera is not only a tool for collecting funds, but also an instrument for promoting social justice and inclusivity in home ownership. With broad participation from various parties, including the government, private sector and society, Tapera has the potential to provide a sustainable solution to the problem of home ownership in Indonesia.
The existence of Tapera also provides economic protection for participants, especially in times of economic uncertainty like today. By having savings in Tapera, participants can feel more financially secure, because they have reserves to build or repair their homes without having to experience serious financial difficulties.
In the context of housing in Indonesia, it is important to recognize that long-term investment in home ownership not only provides residential security, but also drives the local economy. By encouraging the development of more affordable and sustainable housing, Tapera helps build a strong foundation for inclusive economic growth in various regions.
Participation in Tapera also provides valuable financial education for participants, teaching them about good financial management and long-term savings management. This is important for forming positive habits in managing personal finances and preparing a more stable future for their family.
At the policy level, Tapera paves the way for collaboration between government, the private sector and civil society in designing holistic solutions to housing problems. By utilizing various experiences and resources, this program can continue to be improved to be more effective in achieving its goals.
The positive impact of Tapera can also be felt in increasing access to livable housing for vulnerable groups, such as young people, poor families, and those living in remote areas. This not only reduces social disparities, but also improves the overall quality of life in society.
Tapera’s sustainability is highly dependent on the commitment of all parties involved to maintain integrity and transparency in managing funds and the benefits provided to participants. This includes close monitoring and regular evaluation of program performance to ensure that Tapera continues to provide the desired positive impact on society.
In the context of globalization and deepening economic integration, Tapera’s existence also shows Indonesia’s commitment to strengthening the foundations of the domestic economy by building more resilient human capital through more equitable home ownership.
Overall, Tapera is not just about housing savings, but also a symbol of collective efforts to build a better future for all Indonesians through fairer and more affordable access to home ownership. With strong collaboration and a clear vision, Tapera remains a promising real solution to housing challenges in Indonesia
*) The author is a member of the Board of Directors of PT Jateng Agro Berdikari (Perseroda)