“The public housing sector, as part of the country’s infrastructure development, has been able to survive during the pandemic,” said Public Works and Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono while opening the 2021 National Public Housing Day (Hapernas) Virtual Expo in Jakarta on Friday.

The launch was attended by representatives from the Finance Ministry, members of the Developers Association, banks that disburse government mortgage (KPR) loans and the general public.

Organized by the Public Works and Housing Ministry, the Harpenas Virtual Expo will run through Aug. 31.

The event provides visitors with access to information on subsidized housing across Indonesia.

At least 40 banks that provide the government’s KPR program and 400 property developers across Indonesia are taking part in this event.

. (Courtesy of PUPR/.)

To get information on public housing in Indonesia, visit the website www.hapernas2021.com.

The 2021 Harpenas Virtual Expo organizing committee also provides a virtual 3D design of the exhibit and interactive features that enable visitors to easily communicate with each participating developer.

Basuki said the 1 Million Houses program is part of the government’s efforts to maintain and increase public housing developers’ passion. Furthermore, the people are currently in dire need of a livable and affordable homes to keep them protected from COVID-19.

To get updated information on the housing sector’s progress during the pandemic, people can access information at the 2021 Harpenas Virtual Expo, Basuki added.

Through the Expo, he also hoped that potential homeowners could find loan agreements that would best suit their needs and financial capacity.

At the occasion, Basuki delivered several messages to the heads of the Public Works and Housing Ministry’s working units and representatives of various relevant ministries and government institutions, as well as developers and banks engaged in the housing sector in Indonesia.

Basuki’s first message was that every working unit at his ministry and related agencies is tasked with providing livable and affordable houses, including by disbursing various housing and financing programs that are easily accessible.   

“The financing budget for housing development will be increased next year in response to the rising demand for subsidized houses,” he said.

Second, the housing development should not merely aim to achieve a certain target but also ensure that the houses being built are sturdy and of good quality.

“The quality of subsidized houses must be ensured — that’s nonnegotiable. We will continually to supervise [construction] directly or through existing technology. So, the people have a right to own a livable house, while housing developers are obliged to build quality houses,” he said.

Third, the government will continue to spur the property sector’s growth by providing developers with tax incentives or by relaxing the value-added tax (VAT) in compliance with Finance Ministry regulations. The public housing sector is also believed to maintain and even to bolster the country’s economic recovery.

“In the second quarter, the property sector will experience growth thanks to the various incentives it has received, and the sale of houses is expected to go up. With this event, I hope that online loan agreements can be made by those who are eager to buy a house,” Basuki said.