What is micro-housing?
Micro-housing is a concept that has gained traction in recent years, as many overpopulated cities around the world are struggling to accommodate the growing number of citizens.
The sizes of micro-housing can vary but usually, it ranges from 200 – 400 square feet in size and consists of just one room that features a bed, a kitchenette, a bathroom, a limited amount of storage and have larger shared common spaces in the building.
For the past few years, countries such as Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore are dealing with insufficient land and a housing crisis so one solution to the problem is micro-housing.
Discover another real estate trend: Co-Living An Explosive New Trend In The Asia-Pacific Market
Is micro-housing available in Malaysia?
Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has launched the first phase of the micro-housing project at Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman (TAR). This project’s main purpose is to help young working adults in the B40 group.
The first phase which was completed at the end of last year will cater to 190 tenants, while the second phase is expected to cater to an additional 135 people after its completion in the first quarter of this year.
Those who are facing hardships in renting a room in the city centre will be able to rent the micro-homes at an affordable rate of only RM100 a month which includes water and electricity bills.
This housing scheme is based on a shared space concept with each floor consisting of four to five units that are each 7 metres square. Each unit has about three to six beds and cupboards.
The facilities comprise of bicycle and motorcycle parking spaces, lounge area, prayer rooms, launderette, reading corner, pantries, and toilets. The rooms itself will only provide sleeping and bathing facilities with no place for tenants to cook.
To be eligible, the tenant needs to fit the following requirements:
- Malaysian citizen
- Single (unmarried)
- Aged between 18 to 35 years old
- Earns less than RM 2,000 a month
- Does not own a home
- Does not own a car
- Has a job.
Priority is given to those who work within 5km of the area and to those who live more than 25km away from the area and are not from Kuala Lumpur.
Applicants were able to start registering for the first phase of DBKL micro-housing project online since August 2019.
Visit the DBKL website for more information.
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Final thoughts
So what do you think of the micro-housing project? Is it a viable option for those looking for a place to stay in the city? Will this alternative be able to help people in the B40 group in the long run?
Will this concept take the property industry by storm? And would you be interested in living in one? Or are you still figuring on which property will suit your needs? Why don’t you talk to our professional real estate agents to learn more?