THE state government will undertake 13 affordable low and low medium-cost housing projects this year on the mainland and island.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rashid Abdullah said that state Housing, Culture, Arts and Heritage Committee chairman Syed Ameruddin Syed Ahmad was now working with National Housing Corporation Bhd and National Housing Department to determine the areas for the projects.

He said the number of units would be decided soon and the allocation would come under Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP).

Among the priority areas on the mainland were in Bukit Mertajam in Central Seberang Prai and Kepala Batas in North Seberang Prai, he said yesterday.

He was speaking to reporters after opening a blood and organ donation health camp at SJK (T) Tasek Permai in Simpang Ampat on the mainland.

The event was organised by the Malaysia Hindu Sangam Council and the Temple of Fine Arts.

On a separate matter, Abdul Rashid said the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PWSC) should quickly identify the areas in the state that had yet to receive water supply.

“If PWSC needed funding to lay the pipes, it can always get the allocation from the Rural Development Ministry,” he said.

It was highlighted in the press last week that some 34 families in Kampung Tok Elong in Mengkuang were living for the past 34 years without proper water supply.