Affordable housing to affordable living: Hopes for 2027 budget
KUALA LUMPUR: For many Malaysians, affordability is no longer just about buying a home. It is about whether the home they can access, rented or owned, is one they can realistically afford to live in.
Malaysia's 2027 budget is focusing on affordability not just in terms of buying a home, but on whether homes can be realistically lived in. The Ministry of Finance's Pre-Budget Statement includes rental affordability alongside public transport and household costs. PropertyGuru data shows rental searches now outpace sale searches, and rental properties are shortlisted more frequently than sale properties.
Rental affordability is about more than just the monthly rent - it's about commute costs, access to essential services, and the location of services like schools and healthcare. Rental affordability is a significant part of the property search journey, not just a stepping stone to ownership. The National Housing Policy 2026-2035 also emphasizes rental affordability, secure tenancy, housing quality, and liveable neighbourhoods.
The 2027 Budget presents an opportunity to recognise rental as a core part of Malaysia's housing ecosystem, providing support for trusted agents and property owners to bring rental supply into the market. Affordability should also consider recurring costs of living, such as energy efficiency, public transport access, climate resilience, and proximity to daily services.
Housing needs vary by location, household type, income level, and life stage. To effectively plan housing, policymakers should consider demand signals from the private sector, such as how consumers search for, shortlist, and enquire about homes.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
