Over 800 apply for housing assistance

Nurhamiza Hj Roslan
BRUNEI-MUARA

OVER 800 applications for housing assistance have been received by the "Bantuan Perumahan Golongan Daif, Fakir Dan Miskin" (housing assistance for the poor and destitute) project.

The project is implemented under a committee that has been co-ordinated by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) and Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS).

It is funded by the Brunei Islamic Religious Council (MUIB) via the "Komitmen Baki Wang Zakat" (Zakat Surplus Fund Commitment).

In an interview after handing over the housing assistance certificate to a recipient in Kg Masin, Acting Senior Special Duties Officer from the PMO, Abdul Hadi Hj Husin, said they have received 827 applications for housing assistance for the poor and destitute.

The project is divided into several phases.

Abdul Hadi said, "Alhamdulillah, the implementation of the first phase is running smoothly. The second phase is currently being carried out by the PMO and relevant agencies."

The third phase was being carried out by the committee with ongoing investigations in all four districts.

Abdul Hadi explained that applicants for housing assistance have to be classified as poor or destitute.

After receiving the applications, investigations and a filtering process will be carried out.

The filtering process finally determines who is entitled to receive the assistance.

Abdul Hadi said under phase one, 75 houses have been approved, 42 of which have been completed.

The agencies involved in the project aim to ensure that assistance reaches those in need.

They are also working to make sure that the entitled applicants do not wait too long.

"We try to speed up the process and as of now, Alhamdulillah, the efforts carried out under this project are going well."

A recipient, Norkaidah Hj Mohd Jumat, 39, said before receiving housing assistance she and her family lived in a house in very poor condition for 16 years.

The house had holes in the roof and the floor. She said it was too small for her, her husband and seven children.

They can now live comfortably in the new house they have received. The children do not have to share one room anymore.

"The boys can have a separate room from the girls," said Norkaidah.

Their new home is located in Kg Masin, not very far from their previous house.

The building of her new house began in March. Some time before the month of Ramadhan she was able to move in. She was happy that she did not have to wait too long.

Mohd Amirul Muhd Rasyid, 19, who is Norkaidah's eldest son said he was happy that he and his family have a new home to stay in.

Mohd Amirul said the new house was more comfortable and allowed him and his siblings to study at home with greater ease.

Mohd Amirul then expressed his thanks to the authorities for their help in providing him and his family with a new home.

Dipetik dari - The Brunei Times