KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is on track to build 500,000 affordable homes by the end of the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP).

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the presentation of the mid-term review of the 12MP said that 108,373 units of affordable homes have been built until the end of last year.

"In the matter of housing, the government is always careful and has mades it a main agenda that cannot be compromised.

"We are aware that house prices and rising rental rates have burdened the people," he said in parliament today.

He also said the main shift in Public Housing will continue to be improved through the transition from the concept of ownership to the concept of residence.

He said, the Rent to Own Scheme will also be expanded to enable more target groups to own houses.

The initiative to provide rental housing for the less able in the main urban areas which has already been implemented in several places such as Johor and Selangor will be further enhanced.

"The Madani Inclusive Housing pilot project will be developed for target groups in major cities such as the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Penang.

"This construction involves 800 house units with various sizes of floor space to accommodate the needs of different target groups.

"In addition, focus will also be given to exploring the potential of inclusive retirement villages to prepare for the impact of an aging country," he said.