The construction of two low-cost built-for-rental housing schemes in Penang are in the final stages of completion. Tenants are expected to move in by the end of this year.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Abdul Rashid Abdullah said 650 low-cost flats were available at Jalan Tambi Kecil in Butterworth and Jalan Zainal Abidin on the island.

He said rental had been fixed at RM100 monthly.

“Eligible Penangites can now register for the units and the state government will notify successful applicants. “Although rental is very cheap, the state government does not compromise on the quality of the flats,” he said.

Abdul Rashid was speaking to reporters after presenting mock keys to house buyers of Taman Pauh Damai in Permatang Pauh on Saturday.

He said two housing schemes in Padang Chempedak and Kampung Besar, both in the North Seberang Prai district, were now under construction and would be ready soon.

The Deputy Chief Minister also said that there were now 13,000 applicants on the waiting list for low-cost houses. He said that the state government was able to meet demand because an average of 4,000 units were being built annually.

On Taman Pauh, Abdul Rashid commended UDA Holdings for successfully providing affordable homes for the lower income group. The company had so far built 3,308 residential units in the housing scheme covering about 56ha.