Surabaya, E Java (ANTARA News) - The Third Preparatory Committee (Prepcom 3) of the Habitat III Conference here on Tuesday recommended UN member states to reformulate their housing policies to increase the number of people, who can afford livable houses.

"City residents in developing nations have to save their salaries for at least 12-13 years only to be able to own a livable house," Secretary General of the UN Habitat III Joan Clos stated.

According to Clos, the figure is part of the data disclosed at the Prepcom 3 of the UN Habitat III, which is taking place at the Grand City here from July 25 to 27.

"We have conducted a survey in 200 cities, with a minimum population of 100 thousand," he remarked.

The survey said the result of a study conducted by the World Bank showed that people can buy houses after saving three years worth of their salaries, though they should be revised.

Today, only 13 percent of the population can afford to buy houses after saving their salaries for a period of three years, while most people have to save their salaries for 12 to 13 years to be able to buy houses.

The survey only covered houses that have access to roads and other supporting facilities.

Clos said the survey this time classified the houses into four models: informal housing or spontaneous housing, public housing or semi-livable housing, private multi housing or family housing, and private single housing.

The result of the survey also suggested that most people in developing nations showed less interest in buying condominiums.

"Despite not having sufficient money, most people are still interested in buying landed houses, although they are not livable," he pointed out.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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