GEORGE TOWN: All deserving applicants for affordable homes in Penang will be allocated a unit, assures state Housing Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh.

He said 3,396 applications were approved over the last six months and that the state Housing Appeals Board had been lenient by considering appeals from those whose household income was slightly higher than the capped amount.

The caps for household income are RM6,000, RM8,000 and RM10,000 for homes priced at RM200,000, RM300,000 and RM400,000 respectively.

Jagdeep said the cap was on the nett income after deductions for EPF, Socso, mandatory insurance and income tax.

“Priority is, however, given to those who are earning lower incomes and unable to acquire property beyond the affordable range,” he told a press conference in Komtar yesterday.

He said even a non-Penangite could buy an affordable home in the state if the person could prove that he or she had been working in Penang for the last five years and had been contributing to its economy.

“Applicants who are not working in Penang now can appeal if they can prove they will be returning to Penang upon completion of their studies or work stint in another state,” Jagdeep added.