Jakarta Builds New Housing for Senen Railside Residents
- The Indonesian government has commenced the construction of flats for residents living in a shantytown along the railway tracks in the Senen area of Central Jakarta.
- Minister for Housing and Settlement Areas Maruarar Sirait, also known as Ara, confirmed on April 6, 2026, that construction has already begun in the Kramat Street area.
- The current phase of the project in Senen involves the construction of 324 units.
The Indonesian government has commenced the construction of flats for residents living in a shantytown along the railway tracks in the Senen area of Central Jakarta. The project follows a direct inspection of the settlement by President Prabowo Subianto on March 26, 2026, during which he committed to providing decent housing for the community.
Minister for Housing and Settlement Areas Maruarar Sirait, also known as Ara, confirmed on April 6, 2026, that construction has already begun in the Kramat Street area. The initiative is part of a broader effort to upgrade slum areas located near railways across several Indonesian cities.
Housing Unit Details and Allocation
The current phase of the project in Senen involves the construction of 324 units. Minister Sirait stated that PT KAI, the state-run railway company, is preparing an additional 500 housing units for processing, bringing the projected total to 824 units.
Regarding the nature of the housing, the Minister noted that some of the units will be rental properties with affordable pricing. To ensure the units are targeted correctly for prospective occupants, the Ministry of Housing and Settlement Areas is collaborating with the Central Statistics Agency (BPS).
National Expansion and Land Use Strategy
The Senen project is the starting point for a wider national strategy to address rail-side settlements. During a limited coordination meeting at the Presidential Palace on April 6, 2026, President Prabowo Subianto discussed plans to upgrade similar slum areas in Medan, North Sumatra, and Bandung, West Java.
President Prabowo has instructed that state-owned land in urban areas, particularly those managed by PT KAI and Danantara, be prioritized for the construction of flats. Minister Sirait explained that the government intends to reclaim state land currently controlled by other parties to serve the interests of low and middle-income citizens.
In addition to the Jakarta projects, preparations for construction in Bandung are planned to begin by the end of April 2026, following coordination with the President Director of Kereta Api.
President Prabowo Subianto, March 26, 2026
God willing, we will soon build proper housing for residents in the area. It is my determination to provide decent dwellings for the Indonesian people,
Inter-Ministerial Coordination
The implementation of the housing program involves multiple government entities to ensure efficiency and speed. In addition to the Ministry of Housing and Settlement Areas and PT KAI, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology is involved in the process.
Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Brian Yuliarto stated that his team is prepared to support the housing plans by conducting research and studies on technology to increase construction efficiency.
Minister Sirait emphasized that the state must be present in reclaiming strategic state-owned land, such as that found in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, as well as in Bandung and Medan, to benefit the public.