The Kita-Untuk-Kita (K2K) programme, a Budget 2023 initiative, that seeks to increase the liveability of public housing among the urban poor was launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at Pangsapuri PPR Kg Baru Hicom, Shah Alam on April 8, 2023.
The K2K programme aims to enhance support to public housing communities and building management to solve social, economic and physical challenges through four critical areas, namely, community empowerment, community co-management, improved income generation and policy reform.
The programme will kick off in Kuala Lumpur and expanded to Selangor.
The programme launch was also attended by Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, Local Government Development Deputy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir, Selangor Housing, Urban Wellbeing and Entrepreneurs Development state exco Rodziah Ismail, Selangor State Secretary Datuk Haris Kasim, Shah Alam major Dr Nor Fuad Ahmad and representatives from local agencies, foundations, civil society partners, and the community at PPR Hicom Kampung Baru.
Amirudin Shari said, “I’m delighted to see Think City’s initiatives, which were meant to help people weather the Covid-19 storm has evolved to something bigger and more long-term, with support from the private sector and non-profit organisations.
“The K2K programme has stood the test of time in helping to empower communities through building community leaders.
“This is yet another example of the Selangor State Government’s unrelenting commitment to transform the nature of public housing from being viewed as cheap and undesirable, to a place where communities can not only gain access to liveable affordable housing but also live with dignity.”
Think City managing director Hamdan Abdul Majeed said, “As we work to implement these initiatives in the immediate future, we hope to shape a democratic and sustainable path based on trust with the public housing communities, our networks and partnerships to jointly implement comprehensive programmes where it matters most.
“These efforts are also in tandem with our holding company Khazanah’s focus on the Advancing Malaysia strategy, to deliver societal and economic value and impact to the Malaysian community.”
The K2K programme will be led by community leaders and community-based organisations while supported by Think City in collaboration with other participating partners and NGOs.
It will also be strengthened by an inter-governmental committee that will involve various public and private stakeholders to accelerate coordination and implementation in the spirit of Malaysia Madani, and to benefit the public housing communities.
PPR community organisation Perwacom Prihatin secretary Noor Hayati Ismail highlighted the real-life challenges and plight of the people at public housing.
“A comprehensive approach is required in transitioning public housing from a poverty trap into a place of prosperity. We need to jointly reform public housing to progress in tandem with the changing circumstances of urban living and the aspirations of our new generation. Public housing is a home where our children can dream of having a better life for their children and their children’s children,” she said.
Over the last decade, Think City, an impact organisation in making cities more people-friendly, resilient and liveable, has worked on improving Malaysian cities across diverse areas for all urban residents, especially the most vulnerable members of society.
For more information about Kita-Untuk-Kita, visit www.thinkcity.com.my/r2c
 programme that aims to increase the liveability of public housing communities was launched on April 8, 2023.){kind=link}