Metta Wulandari | Indonesia
Addressing Urban Housing Issues
Jakarta's dense population has led to numerous problems, including poor living conditions that adversely affect residents' health, causing issues such as developmental delays, respiratory diseases, and other social phenomena. Recognizing these challenges, the Tzu Chi Indonesia partnered with the Jakarta provincial government to launch a relief project aimed at rebuilding safe and permanent housing for those living in damaged homes or substandard conditions.
A New Approach: Community Housing in Palmerah
Unlike previous efforts, this relief project involves constructing community housing in Palmerah, West Jakarta. The construction began on October 12, 2023, and was completed by July 3, 2024. The opening ceremony was attended by Acting Governor of Jakarta Heru Budi Hartono, Deputy CEO of Tzu Chi Indonesia Sugianto Kusuma, Executive Secretary of Tzu Chi Indonesia Hong Tjhin, Tzu Chi volunteers, and other invited guests.
The new housing complex, named "Rusun Barokah" (Blessings Apartments), is a joint project between Tzu Chi and the Jakarta provincial government. It is Indonesia's first community housing using a "vertical land integration" model. Incorporating eco-friendly principles, the building has four floors with nine units, each measuring 18 square meters. The ground floor serves as a community area.
Rebuilding Without Relocation
"Land integration is very effective because villagers' homes were previously only five to six square meters, but now they have 18 square meters," said Acting Governor Heru.
Heru continued, "This 'vertical land integration' is the first example in Indonesia where residents don't need to relocate. It allows them to continue to live in their community, keep their neighbors, and their children remain in the same schools. Unlike previous government-provided housing, where villagers had to move to new areas, this model allows them to stay."
Kartini, the wife of a beneficiary named Kartiwo, expressed her happiness, "Our previous home was small, dark, full of rats, and leaked when it rained. Now it's like a big building; you can see our home from the street. We're thrilled and grateful we didn’t have to move."
Kartiwo added, "My family cried when they saw the house made of solid concrete with strong walls and clear property rights."
A Beacon of Blessings
Seeing Tzu Chi establish this innovative housing model on limited land made Deputy CEO Kusuma very pleased. He mentioned that this housing model could help people in areas with scarce land. “There is still so much more that needs to be done. This is just the beginning and it’s been a success. The Barokah Apartment Complex can be a model for others,” he said happily. “We will reach out to more entrepreneurs later and hope they will come together with Tzu Chi to make an even bigger impact.”
General Secretary Hong Tjhin expressed gratitude for implementing the relief project for Palmerah residents. ‘We have named this apartment complex ‘Barokah,’ and we sincerely hope that Rusun Barokah will be a blessing and a source of good for both the families and the community in Palmerah,’ he said.
Tzu Chi Indonesia's first relief project began in 2006 in Kampung Belakang, Jakarta, focusing on "Healthy Environment, Healthy Family, and Healthy Economy." To date, Tzu Chi Indonesia has completed 1,433 houses across Indonesia, including Bandung, Medan, Batam, Makassar, and Lombok.