Sembulan low-cost homes first in Borneo
Published on: Saturday, February 27, 1960
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A large number of guests attended the inauguration of this first housing scheme to be undertaken by a local authority in this country.
The Resident, West Coast, Mr G. R. Hedley, in his address to the gathering said:
“Some 2 1/2 years ago, the Jesselton Town Board was faced with the problem of providing Low Cost Housing for the many families living under bad conditions in Kampong Ayer, who would have to be evicted and who could not possibly afford to erect their own buildings with or without financial assistance from Government or the Town Board.
“At first, flats were thought of but the lowest economic rental was over $100 a month plus rates and the Town Board even with a loan could only have afforded to put up 32 flats.
“Then the Town Board looked into the question of houses on the old Pauper Home site but again the lowest possible monthly rent would have been $70 plus rates.
“In the meantime, reclamation albeit slow, had started on the Kampong Ayer shop sites and it was now essential that the people living there be re-housed urgently.
“Some 240 building lots were therefore, made available in Kampong Sembulan for private building and a further 60 lots retained for Town Board Low Cost Housing.
“Of the latter, the Town Board has now completed 30 houses and those you will have the opportunity of seeing today.
“I stress that they are low cost buildings. It cannot, therefore, be expected that the standard of finish will be high (and we make no claim for it so to be) nor is the rent high.
“For a two bed-room house the rent including rates, fire insurance, upkeep of catwalks and interest is only $51 a month.
“And at the end of 15 years building together with the plot in which it stands becomes the property of the leasor.
“This scheme is I believe the first one of its kind by a local authority in British Borneo.
“If it is successful we sincerely hope it may be the precursor not only of further local authority Low Cost Housing schemes but also of similar schemes by private individuals in a genuine effort to bring down the very high cost of building rentals which we have with us at the moment.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, His Excellency the Acting Governor has been kind enough to consent to be present here today and officially to declare open this project.
“It now gives me great pleasure to ask Your Excellency to declare open the Jesselton Town Board Low Cost Housing Scheme.”
H.E before performing the opening ceremony also addressed the gathering (H.E.’s speech will be published on Monday.)
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