Indonesia relaxes requirements for house renovation assistance program

The Indonesian Ministry of Housing and Settlement Areas (PKP) has announced relaxed requirements for its 'Bedah Rumah' (House Renovation) program to assist low-income citizens living in substandard housing.

According to Musrifah, Secretary of the Directorate General of Settlement Areas, the new criteria include reducing the minimum residency requirement from three years to one year. Additionally, the threshold for structural damage has been lowered; previously, at least two components of a house had to be damaged, but now only a single component, such as a roof or wall, is sufficient for eligibility. Land ownership requirements have also been eased, allowing for self-declarations confirmed by local authorities rather than strictly requiring formal certificates.

Minister Maruarar Sirait recently visited potential beneficiaries in Menteng, Central Jakarta, to inspect homes in need of urgent repairs. The inspections highlighted residents living in structures with unstable foundations, leaking roofs, and a lack of sanitation. The Ministry aims to complete the current phase of the renovation program by December 2025.