4 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Selangor extends rental aid for Putra Heights blast victims to one year
SHAH ALAM: The Selangor government has extended its rental assistance programme for victims of the gas explosion in Putra Heights to up to one year.
State Housing Committee chairman Datuk Borhan Aman Shah said the RM2,000 monthly rental aid would be continued to ensure victims had proper shelter until their homes were fully rebuilt.
"The state government had previously agreed to cover six months' rental for the victims, starting in April.
"However, we have decided to extend the assistance to one year or more, especially for those whose homes were completely destroyed, as rebuilding will take more time," he said today.
It was previously reported that the Selangor government had allocated RM2.73 million to provide rental support to 455 families affected by the gas pipeline explosion and fire in Putra Heights in early April.
The April 1 incident left 81 houses completely destroyed with more than 40 per cent structural damage, another 81 houses partially damaged, 57 affected but not burned, while 218 homes, including those in Kampung Tengah, Puchong, were left unscathed.
Borhan added that for homes which sustained partial damage, the rental assistance would continue until repairs were completed.
"Some houses may take up to seven or eight months to be repaired. For homes that were only slightly damaged and have already been restored, assistance will be discontinued once the families move back in.
"We will monitor each stage of the repair work to coordinate the aid effectively. In total, we estimate over RM4 million will be spent on rental subsidies for the affected victims," he said.
