K2K | Towards Liveable Public Housing in Malaysia

Home is where change begins.

Kita-untuk-Kita (K2K) is Think City's social inclusion programme walking alongside public housing residents, building the trust, tools and connections that help people transform where they live.

What does home really feel like?

Our latest report draws from 2,884 households across 10 public housing sites in the Klang Valley, capturing the lived realities, challenges and pathways toward communities that are truly liveable.

Read the Report

Built with communities. Not for them.

From resident-led forums to shared spaces transformed by the people who use them, K2K's approach puts residents in the driver's seat and keeps them there.

Proven here. Ready for Malaysia.

What started in 10 communities in the Klang Valley is now a model for the nation. Together with our partners, we are bringing K2K to more families across Malaysia.

An initiative by

Malaysia's Public Housing Crisis Isn't What You Think.

It’s not a housing shortage, it’s a liveability crisis.
In many PPR communities, suicide rates are 3× higher and violent crime 7× higher than the national average.

This is the crisis K2K works to change.

Our Impact

years of community work

projects across public housing communities

recognitions & partnerships

11,358

residents engaged

Our Impact

years of community work

projects across public housing communities

recognitions & partnerships

11,358

residents engaged

Our Impact

years of community work

projects across public housing communities

recognitions & partnerships

11,358

residents engaged

Malaysia's Public Housing Crisis Isn't What You Think.

It’s not a housing shortage, it’s a liveability crisis. In many PPR communities, suicide rates are 3× higher and violent crime 7× higher than the national average. For years, the solution was simply more housing, but the real issues run deeper.

This is the crisis K2K works to change.

Our Impact

years of community work

projects across public housing communities

recognitions & partnerships

11,358

residents engaged

Our Impact

years of community work

projects across public housing communities

recognitions & partnerships

11,358

residents engaged

Our Impact

years of community work

projects across public housing communities

recognitions & partnerships

11,358

residents engaged

PA Seri Selangor

A public housing community where K2K is actively working with residents and partners to address local issues.

24 Active Cases

10 In Progress

14 Resolved

PA Seri Selangor

24 Active Cases

10 In Progress

14 Resolved

Why It Matters

We can't build our way out of a social crisis

For years, the solution was simply more housing, but the real issues run deeper.

Mental Wellbeing

75%

Stress levels have not improved.

Social Support

50%

No one to turn to when overwhelmed

Living Conditions

69.3%

Say cleanliness has not improved.

Child Health

22.5%

Children affected by parasitic infections.

the reality

Public housing provides shelter to millions of Malaysians. But for many it does not feel like home.

For millions in Malaysia, public housing isn’t a sanctuary - it’s a daily test of endurance.

We call it a housing scheme, but residents call it a liveability crisis. A pressure cooker where safety, health, and basic dignity are constantly under threat.

We went to 10 Klang Valley sites and listened to 2,884 households. Their message is loud and clear: you cannot fix this with concrete and paint. You fix it with people.

The challenges:

75%+

say their stress levels remain unchanged or have worsened

69.3%

say cleanliness in their community has not improved

60%+

say their quality of life has not improved since the pandemic

74%

were financially vulnerable to shocks

Our approach

Residents Hold the Key

Program Kita-untuk-Kita (K2K) is Think City's proven community-driven initiative. By working with residents, K2K unlocks lasting change from within.

OUr methodology

Uniting Communities

We help residents build platforms like FORKOM, turning isolated groups into a unified voice.

Activating Spaces

Corridors and lift lobbies are transformed into safe community hubs, 218 spaces so far.

Empowering Champions

We train local leaders to drive change in their communities.

Our Impact

years of community work

projects across public housing communities

recognitions & partnerships

11,358

residents engaged

Our Impact

years of community work

projects across public housing communities

recognitions & partnerships

11,358

residents engaged

Our Impact

years of community work

projects across public housing communities

recognitions & partnerships

11,358

residents engaged

The K2K Effect

What changes when communities lead:

This is what K2K is here to change.

PA Seri Selangor

24 Active Cases

10 In Progress

14 Resolved

Our approach

When communities lead, transformation happens.

K2K is Think City's innovative social resilience programme aimed at enhancing the liveability of public housing communities. We do not arrive with answers. We show up, listen, and build alongside the people who live there.

Uniting Communities

Residents are not beneficiaries. They are important decision makers. K2K helps communities organise collective action and hold institutions accountable through the FORKOM, their own community forum.

Activating Spaces

Corridors and lift lobbies are more than mere transit zones. K2K transforms shared and common spaces into new social spaces that promote social interaction, strengthen trust and build social cohesion.

Empowering Champions

The Leaders Are Already There. We don't import solutions - we unlock the ones already in the community. K2K identifies local leaders, equips them with real skills, and provides hands-on support as they turn daily struggles into daily victories for their neighbours and community.

testimonials

Real change. In their own words.

Resident

“There was water on the common floor, and it made things slippery. I reported it, and other residents supported it too. Maintenance fixed it quickly, and now we don’t worry about slipping anymore. The system makes it easy to get things done.”

— Mariam

council

“Seeing everything in the system really makes a difference. Before, we relied on calls or paper reports, and issues sometimes got missed. Now we can view all reports in one place, spot urgent cases, track what’s in progress, and plan work more efficiently. It saves time, keeps things organised, and residents can follow updates too — everyone knows what’s happening. It’s a big help for both staff and the community.”

— LPHS

Public

“The platform makes it simple to see patterns, prioritise resources, and follow up on ongoing problems. The visibility and documentation help inform better decisions evaluate the effectiveness of interventions. This level of detail and transparency is especially valuable for policymakers and planners who rely on accurate, community-driven data to guide improvements in public housing.”

— Mr. Li Wei, Policy Analyst

Resident

There was water on the common floor, making it slippery. I reported it, others backed it up, and maintenance fixed it quickly. Now it’s safe, and the system made it easy

Mariam

council

Having everything in one system makes a big difference. We can see all reports, spot urgent issues, track progress, and plan work better. It saves time and keeps everyone informed.

LPHS

public

The platform helps identify patterns, prioritise resources, and track follow-ups. Clear documentation and transparency support better decisions and more effective public housing improvements.

Mr. Li Wei, Policy Analyst

Our Impact

years of community work

projects across public housing communities

recognitions & partnerships

11,358

residents engaged

Our Impact

years of community work

projects across public housing communities

recognitions & partnerships

11,358

residents engaged

Our Impact

years of community work

projects across public housing communities

recognitions & partnerships

11,358

residents engaged

Resident

— Mariam

council

— LPHS

Public

— Mr. Li Wei, Policy Analyst

Before K2K, nobody really talked to each other. Everyone kept to themselves. Now we have a committee, we have plans, we look out for each other. This place finally feels like ours.

Yugan A/L Subramaniam
PPR Desa Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur

I never thought I could make a difference in my own community. I was just one person. But K2K showed me that when we work together, things actually change. I am proud of what we have built here.

Rusilawati Binti Borhan

PA Seri Sarawak

The corridors used to be dark and dirty. Nobody cared. Now we have lights, we have plants, we have neighbours who say good morning. This place feels like home now. We built that together.

Hatta bin Midy

PPR Kg. Baru HICOM, Selangor

Resident

There was water on the common floor, making it slippery. I reported it, others backed it up, and maintenance fixed it quickly. Now it’s safe, and the system made it easy

Mariam

council

Having everything in one system makes a big difference. We can see all reports, spot urgent issues, track progress, and plan work better. It saves time and keeps everyone informed.

LPHS

public

The platform helps identify patterns, prioritise resources, and track follow-ups. Clear documentation and transparency support better decisions and more effective public housing improvements.

Mr. Li Wei, Policy Analyst

Our Impact

years of community work

projects across public housing communities

recognitions & partnerships

11,358

residents engaged

Our Impact

years of community work

projects across public housing communities

recognitions & partnerships

11,358

residents engaged

Our Impact

years of community work

projects across public housing communities

recognitions & partnerships

11,358

residents engaged

The K2K Effect

Real change powered by communities

OUr impact

30,000

Residents engaged

FORKOM community platforms established

218

Lift lobbies & corridors transformed

1,825

Youth empowered through sports

Youth resolutions delivered to ministers

RM1.2

million

Direct government investment triggered

PA Seri Selangor

24 Active Cases

10 In Progress

14 Resolved

Recognition & Growth

A proven model. Now going national.

Six national awards and a growing coalition of ministries, local agencies and organisations across Malaysia. K2K has demonstrated what works, and the country is ready to scale it.

Our Approach

Impact Stories

Partner With Us

Case Map

Explore reported issues and progress across Komuniti K2K.

PA Seri Selangor

A public housing community where K2K is actively working with residents and partners to address local issues.

24 Active Cases

10 In Progress

14 Resolved

Rooted in communities. Built for Malaysia.

K2K is dedicated to transforming public housing into places where families don't just survive, but truly thrive. We do this through community-led change, effective co-management, and the belief that every resident deserves more than just a roof.