14-05-2025
Jakarta Governor Pramono targets over 1,000 ‘rusunawa' units by next year to ease housing backlog
JAKARTA: The Jakarta administration plans to build two additional rusunawa (low-cost rental apartment complexes) and revitalise an existing one in the coming years to address the capital's housing backlog, with experts stressing that the projects must be easily accessible and located near economic hubs to attract tenants.
The initiative was announced by Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung last week during the launch of Rusunawa Jagakarsa in South Jakarta, targeting low-income residents earning between Rp 2.6 million (US$157) to Rp 7.4 million per month.
The complex, made up of three 16-story towers, contains 723 apartment units, each measuring 36 square meters and featuring two bedrooms, a living room, a bathroom, and a balcony.
Monthly rents will range from Rp 865,000 to Rp 1.8 million, based on resident's income levels, as stipulated in Jakarta Regulation No. 1/2024 on regional taxes and retributions.
The Rp 382 billion project also includes various supporting facilities, such as a sports field, clinic, playground, library and an early childhood education center (PAUD).
'We will build [new towers at Rusunawa] Rorotan and Padat Karya and revitalise Rusunawa Marunda,' Pramono said, acknowledging the city's responsibility to provide affordable and decent housing for its citizens.
According to the Jakarta Housing Agency, the city is currently facing a housing occupancy backlog affecting at least 288,393 families, while the homeownership backlog has reached approximately 1.86 million families.
Meanwhile, a 2024 report by Statistics Indonesia (BPS) revealed that only 54 percent of Jakarta households own their homes, marking the lowest homeownership rate in the country, which is well below the national average of nearly 85 percent.
Another 2024 BPS report showed that, amid rising home prices, an increasing number of Jakartans are choosing to rent, making the capital the province with the highest proportion of households living in rental housing.
Chico Hakim, special staffer to Governor Pramono, told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday (May 13) that the city plans to provide 1,153 additional apartment units by next year, comprising 865 new units to be built at Rusunawa Padat Karya and Rorotan IX, and 288 units to be revitalised at the currently idle Rusunawa Marunda.
All of them are located in Cilincing, North Jakarta, which has the highest number of poor households among the municipality's six districts.
'[The rusunawa programme] targets Jakarta residents with a monthly income below Rp 8 million,' Chico said, while also noting ongoing issues with rent arrears.
According to the city's Public Housing Agency, outstanding rent payments have accumulated to Rp 95.5 billion.
To prevent similar issues in the future, Chico said the city administration plans to implement stricter documentation and eligibility checks during the application process.
Yayat Supriatna, an urban planner from Trisakti University, argued that the problem also stems from the remote locations of many rusunawa, making it difficult for residents to maintain stable incomes and afford rent.
'What Jakarta needs are integrated housing complexes. Building more rusunawa is essential, but they must be linked to economic activities,' Yayat said on Tuesday.
Given that rusunawa residents are typically low-income individuals, Yayat added that the government should also offer them social assistance programmes and employment opportunities.
'This way, the rusunawa programme can not only provide affordable housing, but also help improve residents' livelihoods,' he said, adding that such improvements would attract more residents and change the perception of rusunawa from being seen as a last resort.
Mohammed Ali Berawi, a civil engineering professor at the University of Indonesia, echoed similar concerns.
While supporting the need for integration, he emphasised the importance of moving away from negative stereotypes.
'[In] the design of rusunawa, [...] crucial–mobility, accessibility and available facilities all play a role,' Ali said. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
