PSM Penang said five units at the People's Housing Programme (PPR) Taman Manggis were locked by authorities on Sept 3, with several more residents allegedly facing eviction.
PSM Penang spokesman Choo Chon Kai said residents deemed to have lost their eligibility were being evicted without being offered permanent housing alternatives.
He claimed some grounds for disqualification were unreasonable, including a resident allegedly losing eligibility after marrying a foreigner despite having been married for years and heirs of original tenants who had died and were required to vacate their units.
"Affected residents had submitted appeals to the board but some have yet to receive responses before units were locked.
"Such eviction action is inhumane. The board and the Penang government should consider the appeals carefully," it said.
Choo also called for affordable permanent housing options, including Rent-To-Own (RTO) schemes, to be offered to those who no longer qualified for PPR but still required housing.
He further urged the state government to review eligibility requirements for PPR and Penang government rental housing, saying existing income thresholds were outdated.
The previous thresholds of RM750 for an individual applicant and RM1,500 for household income did not reflect current economic realities, particularly with the minimum wage now at RM1,700, he added.
The Housing and Local Government Ministry allows households with gross monthly income of up to RM3,000 to apply for PPR, while Perak has raised its household income threshold to RM3,860.
Meanwhile, the Penang Housing Board said enforcement against the affected units was not carried out abruptly but followed cross-checks, detailed assessments, engagement sessions and the issuance of notices in accordance with government procedures.
It said the PPR scheme was intended as transitional or temporary housing for low-income B40 families, allowing them to rent at heavily subsidised rates while stabilising their household finances.
The board said rent at PPR Taman Manggis remained RM124 a month despite increases in the minimum wage.
"Tenancy agreements are for three years and renewal is not automatic, with tenants required to undergo reassessment upon expiry," it stressed.
The board said investigations found breaches involving several units, including tenants who owned other property, households whose income exceeded the eligibility limit, units being sublet to third parties and violations of house rules.
"Enforcement is necessary to ensure fairness to other applicants who remain on the waiting list," it said.
On claims that residents were not offered permanent alternatives, the board said it had conducted outreach sessions and interviews with affected tenants and heirs as early as Jan 16, last year.
It said eligible residents were advised to consider the RTO scheme if they no longer qualified to remain under PPR, describing it as a potential long-term and permanent housing solution.
"Affected residents had been given sufficient time to make relocation arrangements.
"Notices of termination and vacant possession were issued on Dec 31, last year, with an adjustment period until March 31, this year.
"However, physical enforcement was only carried out on Sept 3, giving affected families additional time to seek alternative accommodation," it said. - NST
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