By: Alfian Pratama
The 3 million housing program launched by President Prabowo Subianto’s administration provides a concrete solution to the housing shortage in Indonesia. With a target of building 2 million houses in rural areas and 1 million houses in urban areas over the next five years, the program aims to provide more decent housing access for low-income communities. Not only focused on building new units, this policy also includes renovating uninhabitable houses so that more families can enjoy a healthier and more decent place to live.
The government considers that one of the main challenges in the housing sector is the large number of families living in inadequate housing. Poor living conditions, limited access to clean water, and a lack of basic infrastructure such as internet connectivity are major challenges that must be addressed immediately. Therefore, the government is committed to providing financial support to people who do not have homes or wish to renovate their existing homes to make them more livable.
The Head of the Housing Task Force, Hashim Djojohadikusumo, emphasized that this program not only includes the construction of new homes but also the renovation of uninhabitable houses. According to him, many people already own land, so the main challenge is not land acquisition, but how the government can help them build or renovate the homes they already have.
Hashim stressed the importance of financial assistance for the public, especially for farmers and fishermen, so that they can access home renovation loans with lighter terms. With this scheme, the government targets to build and improve 1.5 to 2.25 million houses each year, gradually reducing the housing backlog.
To realize this ambitious plan, the government has partnered with various parties both domestically and internationally. Several state-owned enterprises, such as PT Bank Tabungan Negara (Persero) Tbk, PT Sarana Multigriya Finansial (Persero), and Perum Perumnas, have expressed their readiness to support this program. Internationally, the government has teamed up with Singapore’s Housing & Development Board (HDB) as an advisor and Surbana Jurong Pte Ltd, a subsidiary of Temasek Holdings, as a consultant in urban development and infrastructure.
The Vice Minister of Housing and Settlement Areas, Fahri Hamzah, stated that the government is also working on increasing the quota of the Housing Liquidity Facility (FLPP) to provide more affordable financing options for low-income communities. According to him, one of the main causes of the housing backlog is the still-high poverty rate and the uneven economic growth.
Therefore, the policies taken must directly address the needs of the people, ensuring that they can easily access decent home ownership. The Ministry of Housing and Settlement Areas will continue to design and implement policies that can make this happen.
In addition to support from local and foreign companies, this program has also attracted the interest of international investors. Several countries, including Qatar and Abu Dhabi, have expressed their interest in participating in this project through direct investment schemes in Indonesia’s housing sector. Hashim Djojohadikusumo mentioned that Qatar has committed to building one million apartments in Indonesia after Eid, with an investment value reaching USD 18-20 billion.
Not stopping at USD 18-20 billion, Qatar even plans to build an additional 5 million units of apartments and houses in rural areas over the long term. Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi, through its state-owned enterprise Mubadala Investment Company, will also allocate investment to build one million units of homes as part of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Indonesia’s housing sector.
On the other hand, the National Police Chief, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, confirmed that the police are ready to provide full support to ensure the housing development runs smoothly. According to him, this program is not only a government initiative but also part of efforts to create welfare for the people. The National Police is committed to providing guidance in the implementation of this project so that each phase runs according to regulations and is free from legal obstacles that could hinder the acceleration of development.
Since the beginning, President Prabowo’s administration has emphasized that the housing sector is one of the top priorities that must be addressed immediately. With a growing population and increasing demand for housing, the government has taken strategic steps by targeting large-scale construction to address the housing backlog. This program not only aims to provide decent housing for the people but also becomes part of a broader strategy for national economic development.
The success of this program is expected to be a long-term solution to the housing problem in Indonesia. With an integrated approach, collaboration between various parties, and strong government commitment, the 3 Million House Program is expected to bring significant positive impacts to both the society and the Indonesian economy. The government continues to ensure that each phase of the program’s implementation runs smoothly so that every citizen can enjoy their right to decent and affordable housing.
The writer is a contributor to the Pertiwi Institute.
