The initiative of Lembaga Zakat Selangor towards affordable housing

Affordable housing is a significant issue globally, including in Malaysia, where rapid urbanization and rising living costs have made it harder for low-income groups to secure decent homes. In Selangor, one of Malaysia’s most developed and densely populated states, the demand for affordable housing continues to rise. The high cost of property, limited land, and widening income inequality further complicate the situation, especially for the asnaf community, a group that includes the poor and needy eligible to receive zakat under Islamic principles. Zakat, a mandatory charitable contribution in Islam, plays a crucial role in supporting the less fortunate. Lembaga Zakat Selangor (LZS), under the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS), has taken proactive steps by allocating zakat funds to provide affordable housing for the asnaf community. This initiative not only meets their basic shelter needs but also enhances their overall well-being and economic stability. This study adopts a qualitative approach, involving semi-structured interviews with LZS representatives. The research aims to study the challenges faced in delivering affordable housing to the asnaf and strategies employed to overcome those challenges. Providing affordable housing for the asnaf involves navigating financial constraints, operational hurdles, bureaucratic processes that often delay housing projects. To overcome these issues, LZS employs strategies such as thorough beneficiary screening, collaborative partnerships, and the use of technology and data analytics. This study contributes to the broader discourse on Islamic social finance, highlighting its potential in promoting sustainable development and improving the quality of life for marginalized communities in Selangor.