Selangor is launching a novel scheme to allow residents living in public housing projects to offset their rental arrears by volunteering for community service.
“I believe this is the first project of its kind in Malaysia but it has been carried out in the United Kingdom.” said Selangor executive councillor for Housing Iskandar Abdul Samad.
Under the scheme, those eligible will be able to volunteer for neighbourhood watch, to man the information centre at the community housing scheme, carry out life skills training for the community, or guard public property.
Iskandar said three to four hour shifts of community service will be regarded as an equivalent to a month’s rental.
“Residents will be allowed to choose which programmes and what shifts they want to volunteer for.”
He said the pilot scheme will be launched on April 1, at the Taman Putra Permai Community Housing project, in Lembah Pantai.
The scheme is open to those who owe an outstanding rental of more than RM3,500 as of Dec 31, last year.
Those eligible include residents who earn RM720 a month, single parents or the disabled.
If proven successful, the state intends to extend the programme to three other community housing projects at Lembah Subang, Kampung Baru Hi-Com and Serendah.
Iskandar said rental at the community housing projects are RM124 a month for the lower income bracket and RM250 for other residents.
Rental arrears for the four community housing schemes in the state currently amounts to RM4.2 million.
courtesy of Malaysian Insider
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