Minister of Home Affairs, Muhammad Tito Karnavian, alongside the Minister of Housing and Human Settlements, Maruarar Sirait, recently conducted a vital inspection of the Self-Help Housing Stimulant Assistance Program (BSPS). This significant visit took place in Nagasaribu IV Village, Lintong Nihuta District, Humbang Hasundutan Regency (Humbahas), North Sumatra, on Thursday, March 26, 2026. The inspection was a crucial step in ensuring the readiness and precise targeting of the 2026 BSPS Program, which aims to significantly enhance the living conditions for communities, particularly those residing in substandard or uninhabitable homes.
During the visit, the Minister of Home Affairs emphasized the collaborative effort behind this initiative. “Indeed, two programs from the Ministry of Home Affairs support the housing program from the Ministry of Housing and Human Settlements,” stated Minister Karnavian. “These initiatives are designed to assist citizens who either do not yet own a home or possess one that is currently not fit for habitation.” This commitment underscores the government’s dedication to improving welfare through better living conditions.
The scale of the BSPS Program in North Sumatra for 2026 reveals a remarkable expansion. The total number of homes slated for improvement is set to reach an impressive 19,668 units, a stark increase compared to the 1,982 units realized in 2025. This substantial growth is part of a broader national target for 2026, aiming to upgrade a staggering 400,000 housing units across the country, showcasing a national drive towards equitable housing.
Within North Sumatra, Humbang Hasundutan Regency stands as a significant beneficiary, allocated 457 units out of the 33 regencies and cities participating in the BSPS Program. This specific allocation highlights the targeted approach to address housing needs in various regions, ensuring that support reaches communities most in need of better housing quality.
The Minister also underscored that the success of the BSPS Program hinges critically on the spirit of togetherness and gotong royong, the Indonesian concept of mutual cooperation. Unlike conventional commercial housing developments, self-help housing projects require the active involvement and collective effort of citizens throughout the construction process. “This sense of unity must truly guide us, especially when building homes,” the Minister stressed. “Because constructing self-help housing necessitates this collective endeavor, this gotong royong.”
Furthermore, Minister Karnavian asserted the profound link between providing decent and livable housing and the overarching goal of poverty alleviation, including extreme poverty. He highlighted that this is also a key performance indicator used by the Ministry of Home Affairs to evaluate regional heads. Therefore, robust support from local governments is indispensable for the effective implementation and sustained success of this crucial program.
In a move to further facilitate homeownership and improvements, the Minister revealed that the government has introduced various conveniences for low-income communities. These include exemptions from Building Approval (PBG) fees, the Land and Building Rights Acquisition Tax (BPHTB), and even Value Added Tax (PPN). Such policies reflect a powerful cross-ministerial synergy designed to accelerate the national housing program and make decent housing more accessible to all segments of society.
During his visit, the Minister of Home Affairs also took the opportunity to express his admiration for the local government and community of Humbahas, commending their rapid recovery efforts post-disaster. He observed that the region had largely recuperated, with both public infrastructure and places of worship nearing full restoration. “I am truly amazed by Humbahas,” Minister Karnavian remarked. “The solidarity among the Regent, the Regional Leadership Communication Forum (Forkopimda), and all residents is extraordinary. Roads that were previously blocked by landslides were cleared and open again in just four days.”
The event saw the attendance of several key figures, including the Humbahas Regent Oloan Paniaran Nababan, members of the Forkopimda, various Regional Apparatus Organizations (OPD), respected community leaders, building material entrepreneurs, and enthusiastic local residents, all united in their commitment to community development.
Summary
Ministers of Home Affairs, Muhammad Tito Karnavian, and Housing and Human Settlements, Maruarar Sirait, recently inspected the Self-Help Housing Stimulant Assistance Program (BSPS) in Nagasaribu IV Village, Humbahas, North Sumatra, on March 26, 2026. The visit aimed to ensure the 2026 BSPS Program’s readiness and precise targeting, which seeks to improve substandard homes. The program is set to upgrade 19,668 units in North Sumatra and 400,000 nationally for 2026, with Humbahas allocated 457 units. Minister Karnavian highlighted the collaborative effort behind this significant initiative.
The program’s success is critically dependent on the spirit of mutual cooperation (*gotong royong*) and active citizen involvement in construction. Decent housing is also strongly linked to poverty alleviation, which is a key performance indicator for regional heads. To facilitate homeownership for low-income communities, the government offers various conveniences, including exemptions from Building Approval fees, BPHTB, and PPN. This cross-ministerial synergy aims to accelerate the national housing program and enhance living conditions nationwide.