Denpasar allocates Rp 1.7b to renovate houses

The Jakarta Post | Mon, 01/03/2011 11:22 AM | Bali

DENPASAR: The city administration says it will allocate Rp. 1.7 billion (US$188,700) in 2011 to finance the renovation of homes owned by residents living in poverty.

“We will prioritize houses which do not meet safety, health and living standards. The administration will cooperate with village chiefs and hamlet heads in identifying and registering such houses,” Denpasar Housing Agency head Kadek Kesuma Diputra said.

The administration said it would provide Rp 20 million to individual homeowners to purchase materials and hire laborers for renovations, up from Rp 10 million provided under a similar program in 2010.

“We have to take into consideration the increase in material prices and laborers’ wages,” Diputra said.

The city administration said it planned to renovate 80 houses with a budget of Rp. 1.7 billion in 2011, down from 190 houses in 2010.

The renovation program was initiated by Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika.

“Healthy people are more productive and better able to pursue their professional work, with a good probability of improving their economic condition. How can people stay healthy when they have to live and sleep in unhealthy homes?” he said. — JP