On many evenings in Papua, as the sun slips behind the mountains and the air turns cool, families gather inside homes that have sheltered them for decades. Some of these houses are built from wood cut by hand. Others are patched repeatedly after storms tear through fragile roofs. In certain neighborhoods, rainwater drips steadily through ceilings into plastic buckets placed carefully on the floor. Children learn to shift their schoolbooks away from wet spots. Parents sleep lightly, listening for the sound of wind pressing against loose walls.
For thousands of Indigenous Papuans, known as Orang Asli Papua or OAP, housing has long been one of the most pressing daily challenges. It is not only about comfort. It is about safety, dignity, and opportunity.
In 2026, the Provincial Government of Papua under Governor Matius Fakhiri has taken a decisive step to address this issue. The administration has announced a large-scale housing program that includes the renovation of 2,100 uninhabitable homes and the construction of five new apartment blocks, known locally as rumah susun or rusun. The initiative is set to begin in March 2026 and is aimed primarily at improving living conditions for Indigenous communities across the province.
While the figures are substantial, the real story lies in what those numbers mean for families who have waited years for change.
A Roof That Does Not Leak
In a coastal settlement near Jayapura, a mother named Yohana describes what happens when heavy rain falls at night. She and her husband move quickly, placing containers under the worst leaks. Their children shift mattresses away from the dripping water. Sometimes the rain lasts for hours.
“When the rain is strong, we cannot sleep,” she says. “We worry about the roof. We worry about the walls.”
Yohana’s house, like many others categorized as “rumah kumuh,” or unfit dwellings, suffers from structural weaknesses and inadequate sanitation. Wooden beams have begun to rot. The tin roof is thin and full of holes. The floor becomes damp and slippery.
For families like hers, the provincial government’s plan to renovate 2,100 houses represents more than a construction project. It represents the possibility of rest without fear.
Governor Matius Fakhiri has stated that the housing program is designed to ensure that Indigenous Papuans can live in safe and decent homes. According to reports from Antara Papua, Jubi, VOI, and the official provincial government website, the renovations will include repairing roofs, reinforcing walls, installing proper flooring, improving ventilation, and adding sanitary facilities.
The aim is simple but powerful: transform houses that are unsafe into homes that are livable.
Housing as a Foundation for Welfare
Papua’s geography is breathtaking, but it is also demanding. Mountainous terrain, dense forests, and scattered islands make infrastructure development costly and complex. In many districts, limited access to building materials and skilled labor has contributed to persistent housing problems.
Governor Fakhiri has framed the initiative as part of a broader effort to improve welfare and human development in Papua. In public statements, he has emphasized that decent housing is closely linked to health, education, and economic stability.
Children who grow up in stable homes are more likely to concentrate in school. Families with access to proper sanitation are less vulnerable to disease. Secure housing reduces stress and fosters community confidence.
“If we want to improve the quality of life of Orang Asli Papua, we must begin with basic needs,” the governor said in one announcement. “A proper home is one of those needs.”
Five Apartment Blocks for Growing Cities
While many housing challenges are found in rural districts, urban areas in Papua also face pressure. Population growth in cities such as Jayapura has led to the expansion of informal settlements where families build makeshift houses on limited land.
To address this, the provincial government plans to construct five rusun, or apartment-style housing blocks. These multi-story buildings are intended to provide organized, safer living environments for families who currently reside in densely packed neighborhoods with inadequate infrastructure.
Each rusun will be equipped with proper sanitation, access to clean water, and reliable electricity. For families accustomed to living in single-story wooden houses, moving into apartment units may represent a cultural adjustment. However, officials have indicated that community considerations will shape the design and allocation process.
The goal is not simply to stack families into concrete structures, but to create organized housing that supports safety and social interaction.
March 2026: Work Begins
According to official provincial sources, the renovation of 2,100 homes and the construction of the five rusun are scheduled to begin in March 2026. Preparations have included identifying eligible households, conducting technical assessments, and coordinating with relevant agencies.
The focus remains on prioritizing Indigenous Papuan families who live in the most vulnerable conditions.
Implementation will not be without challenges. Transporting materials to highland districts can require days of travel over rough roads or by small aircraft. Weather conditions can delay construction schedules. Ensuring quality control across multiple locations demands strong oversight.
Yet provincial officials remain confident that the program will move forward as planned.
Restoring Dignity, Not Just Walls
For many observers, housing programs are measured in statistics. Two thousand one hundred renovations. Five apartment blocks. Budget allocations. Timelines.
But for residents, the impact is far more personal.
In a highland district, an elderly man named Lukas explains that the wooden floor of his house has weakened over the years. He moves carefully to avoid stepping on soft boards. He fears that one day, someone will fall through.
“I built this house when I was young,” he says. “Now it needs help.”
The renovation program will allow homes like his to be strengthened and made safe again.
Dignity is an often overlooked aspect of housing policy. Living in a deteriorating home can affect self-confidence and social participation. Families may hesitate to invite guests. Children may feel embarrassed when classmates see their living conditions.
Improving housing sends a message that these communities matter.
Linking Housing to Education and Health
Papua has long faced development disparities compared to other parts of Indonesia. Addressing housing is one way to tackle root causes of inequality.
When children study in dry, well-lit rooms, their ability to learn improves. When families have access to proper sanitation, the risk of waterborne diseases decreases. When overcrowding is reduced, tensions within households can ease.
International development studies consistently show that housing quality influences educational outcomes, health indicators, and even employment stability. By investing in housing, the provincial government is indirectly supporting multiple development goals at once.
Community Response
Initial reactions from community leaders and residents have been largely positive. Many express gratitude that the government is focusing on practical needs rather than symbolic gestures.
A youth leader in one district noted that visible development boosts morale. “When we see roofs being replaced and walls repaired, we feel that progress is real,” he said. “It gives us motivation.”
At the same time, some residents emphasize the importance of transparency and fair distribution. Ensuring that the most vulnerable families are prioritized will be key to maintaining public trust.
A Broader Development Vision
Governor Fakhiri’s housing initiative aligns with a wider provincial agenda aimed at strengthening welfare for Orang Asli Papua. Housing improvements complement efforts in education, healthcare, and economic empowerment.
While infrastructure projects such as roads and bridges often dominate headlines, social infrastructure such as housing forms the foundation upon which communities function.
The governor has repeatedly highlighted that development should be inclusive and responsive to local realities. In Papua, that means addressing the needs of Indigenous families who have historically faced economic disadvantages.
Looking Ahead
As March 2026 approaches, anticipation builds in villages and neighborhoods identified for renovation. Construction materials will soon arrive. Workers will begin reinforcing structures. Apartment foundations will be laid in urban centers.
The transformation may take months to complete, but for families waiting under leaking roofs, even the start of construction carries meaning.
Housing may seem like a simple concept. Four walls. A roof. A floor. But in Papua, it represents stability in a region where geography and history have often created obstacles.
The renovation of 2,100 homes and the construction of five rusun are practical steps toward improving quality of life for Orang Asli Papua. They are also symbolic gestures of recognition and inclusion.
For Yohana and her children, it means nights without rain dripping onto blankets. For Lukas, it means walking safely across his own floor. For thousands of families, it means a renewed sense of security.
In the end, the housing initiative is not about concrete and timber. It is about people.
And for many Indigenous Papuans, 2026 may be remembered as the year their houses became homes they can truly rely on.