Antara, Jakarta – Indonesian Minister of Public Works and Public Housing, Maruarar Sirait, stated that there are currently 26.9 million uninhabitable houses in the country. "So, they have houses, but they are uninhabitable," said Maruarar after meeting President Prabowo Subianto at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, as quoted from Antara.

As a result, the government is helping to renovate 45,000 houses this year to make uninhabitable houses habitable. "Next year, Bapak President will significantly increase it, from 45,000 this year, to 400,000 next year," said Maruarar.

In the meeting, Maruarar reported that as of October 28, 2025, the absorption of funds for low income housing development (MBR) had reached 70 percent.

In the same closed-door meeting, Maruarar also revealed that the absorption of subsidized houses allocated to MBR had reached 205,000 out of a total quota of 350,000 units.

Firstly, Maruarar reported that the fund absorption had reached 70 percent. Secondly, he explained that a significant number of subsidized houses had been absorbed from the quota of 350,000. "As of today, around 205,000 (subsidized houses) have been absorbed," he said. Thirdly, the President's directive to implement pro-people policies.

Furthermore, Maruarar revealed that the government had exempted the Low Income House and Land Acquisition Duty (BPHTB) for low income individuals, and the Building Approval Fee (PBG), formerly known as IMB, had also been waived for low income individuals.

"Then, also the PBG, building approval fee, previously called IMB, now called PBG, that is also free, it is running, and being monitored, assisted by the Minister of Home Affairs. So, Regents, Mayors are also implementing it, and it has been implemented," he said.

He stated that the government also continues to maintain the 5 percent interest rate for subsidized houses as a form of support for the underprivileged. Additionally, the government is also strengthening the Self-Help Housing Stimulus Program (BSPS) for people whose houses are uninhabitable.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2061211/indonesia-has-26-9-million-uninhabitable-houses-government-explain