Even Though It Is Considered Narrow, The 18 Meter Subsidy House Is Predicted To Be Sold Still

Two people saw the condition of the minimum house mock-up in Jakarta, Thursday (12/6/2025). (ANTARA)

JAKARTA A lecturer in Social Welfare Science UI, Rissalwan Handy revealed that the size of a subsidy house covering an area of 18 meters is actually not in accordance with the calculations of the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) where the ideal size of subsidized houses for the poor is 32 square meters.

He explained that the figure was obtained from the estimated space requirement for everyone about 8 square meters. Assuming one family consists of a father, mother, and two children, the house area is about 32 square meters.

"So, this is more from the contractor's perspective so that the house is available. What risk? If the house is small, but the social and public facilities are adequate, I don't think it's a problem. That means, the road is not narrow," he said, Sunday, June 22, 2025.

Rissalwan gave an example of the size of houses in densely populated areas such as in Johar Baru and Tambora, West Jakarta which are even smaller than type 21. In fact, there are still occupancys that are only 10 meters wide.

A 18-meter house, he said, actually still deserves to be occupied by a new family with one child. Houses can also be built vertically if family members increase. The most important thing is that roads in subsidized housing are built and settlements are equipped with public facilities and adequate social facilities.

Twisted roads cannot be accessed if there is a fire. Can't be saved. Does it sell well? Of course we can see from supply and demand. From the supply side, of course, the contractor, in this case the government, also wants to meet the housing target. We know now the price of land and materials is also high. So, this is made small so that it can be bought," he added.

Rissalwan is optimistic that a 18 square meter house will still sell well. Moreover, currently many Jakarta workers are no longer able to buy type 36 houses.

As long as the environment is not slum. Not to have a small house, but a narrow road. This makes people stressed. There are no social facilities, public facilities, and no friends," he concluded.

As is known, the provisions for reducing the size of subsidized houses are stated in the Decree of the Minister of Housing and Settlement Areas (PKP), where the size of the subsidized house building is designed at least 18 square meters and a maximum of 36 square meters.

Meanwhile, according to the current regulations, it is still in effect, namely the Decree of the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Number 689/KPTS/M/2023, the size of the subsidized house area is at least 21 square meters and a maximum of 36 squares. The land area is at least 60 square meters and a maximum of 200 square meters.