Subsidized House Size Shrinks, IPB University Expert Highlights Impact on Family Welfare
The shrinking size of subsidized houses is considered to have a serious impact on the lives of Indonesian families. This was conveyed by Dr Yulina Eva Riany, Chairperson of the Center for Gender and Child Studies (PKGA) IPB University, in a statement delivered on the sidelines of her activities as a lecturer at the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, Friday (6/20) in Bogor.
According to Dr Yulina, the smaller subsidized houses not only affect physical comfort, but also disrupt the quality of relationships between family members.
“When every space becomes a shared space, there is no longer a healthy boundary between functions, roles, and personal needs,” she said. This condition, she said, has the potential to trigger conflict, stress, and emotional exhaustion.
She added that children need adequate play and learning spaces. Meanwhile, the elderly need a safe and quiet space. A cramped home, she continued, can cause chronic stress and impact the mental health of all family members.
Lack of privacy is also a major issue. Household conflicts can arise due to small things such as overlapping work schedules or entertainment needs.
“Especially for young mothers, including gen Z, the narrow space exacerbates burnout because there is no room for relaxation,” she said. The impact can extend to mood disorders, anxiety, and even mild depression.
Physically, small and crowded homes often lack ventilation and natural lighting. This can increase the risk of illnesses such as respiratory problems. The low quality of building materials also makes subsidized houses vulnerable to damage and increases long-term maintenance costs.
“Ironically, subsidized houses that are supposed to be a solution can actually become a new economic burden due to non-standard self-renovation and additional expenses,” said Dr Yulina.
She also highlighted the lack of public space in subsidized housing areas. Narrow roads, lack of parks, and distance from activity centers cause residents’ social interactions to be limited. Children struggle to build social relationships, while young couples miss out on important social support.
For gen Z couples starting their home life, the average size of a subsidized house is only 36 square meters, which is inadequate. Especially if they work from home, as the absence of a dedicated workspace causes overlap between professional and domestic activities.
Dr Yulina emphasized that the shrinking size of subsidized houses was triggered by economic pressures and development policies that prioritize land efficiency. However, according to her, these policies have not fully considered the needs of multigenerational families prevalent in Indonesia.
“Instead of being a safe and comfortable place to live, subsidized houses risk turning into a new source of pressure for families,” she concluded. (IAAS/PRO)
