DELI SERDANG | INDATANEWS.COM- The Deli Serdang Regency Government is strengthening its cooperation with the Deli Serdang National Zakat Agency (Baznas) to accelerate poverty reduction through the renovation of uninhabitable homes (Rumah Tidak Layak Huni/RTLH).
The cooperation is part of joint efforts by the local government and Baznas to provide assistance that can directly improve the quality of life of residents. Particular attention is being given to the home renovation program for families who continue to live in inadequate housing conditions.
Deli Serdang Regent Asri Ludin Tambunan praised the active involvement of Baznas Deli Serdang in supporting the community. At the same time, he called on Baznas to further expand its cooperation with the Deli Serdang Government so that assistance programs reach those who genuinely need them.
"I welcome and support the continuation of cooperation between Baznas Deli Serdang and the regency government in implementing programs whose benefits can be directly felt by the community, including assistance for home renovations," he said during a joint meeting at the Baznas Deli Serdang office on Saturday, September 5, 2026.
Zakat Funds to Be Distributed More Strategically
During the meeting, Asri Ludin Tambunan also emphasized the importance of managing zakat funds responsibly and transparently. In his view, zakat funds collected from both government employees (ASN) and the public must be distributed to people who meet the requirements to receive assistance.
The targeted management and distribution of zakat, the regent said, can expand the impact of social programs while also supporting the local government's efforts to address poverty in the community.
"I hope zakat is managed responsibly and distributed appropriately so that more people who need assistance can benefit from it," he said.
The Deli Serdang Government considers its cooperation with Baznas a strategically important component of various programs aimed at strengthening social protection and community welfare. Through this partnership, assistance is not intended merely to meet short-term needs but also to contribute to creating better living conditions for residents in the long term.
Improving housing conditions is an important step toward enhancing the quality of the living environment. Adequate housing is also closely linked to health, comfort, safety and a family's ability to carry out daily activities under better conditions.
VERIFYING POTENTIAL HOME RENOVATION BENEFICIARIES: Baznas Deli Serdang Chairman H. Surya explains the process of verifying potential recipients of home renovation assistance based on Social Affairs Office data and field assessments of residents' living conditions. (PHOTO: Edi Saputra)
Verification of Beneficiaries Given Priority
Following the directive from the Deli Serdang Regent, Baznas Deli Serdang is conducting field inspections of potential beneficiaries of the home renovation program. Baznas Deli Serdang Chairman Surya said the agency is using data from the Social Affairs Office as one of the references for determining beneficiary priorities.
Baznas is prioritizing people classified in Deciles 1 and 2. At the same time, the agency remains open to further verification if conditions found in the field do not correspond with the information contained in the original data.
"We have inspected the locations of potential beneficiaries based on data from the Social Affairs Office. Priority is given to people in Deciles 1 and 2. However, information gathered during field inspections will continue to be taken into consideration. For example, someone in Decile 4 may also receive assistance if the verification shows that their house and living conditions are genuinely inadequate," H. Surya explained.
Field verification is an important part of the program to ensure that home renovations actually benefit families who urgently need them. The team does not rely solely on classifications in existing databases but also directly assesses the condition of the house and the living circumstances of potential beneficiaries.
This approach allows Baznas to adjust its priorities according to the actual living conditions of residents. In this way, families living in particularly poor housing conditions can also be considered, even if they fall outside the initial administrative priority groups.
SUPPORTING BETTER LIVING STANDARDS: Baznas Deli Serdang's home renovation program covers several areas while also involving local workers to help improve the standard of living of residents. (PHOTO: Edi Saputra)
Home Renovations Also Create Local Jobs
The home renovation program implemented by Baznas Deli Serdang covers several areas, including the subdistricts of Tanjung Morawa, Namorambe, Lubuk Pakam, Patumbak, Pantai Labu and Hamparan Perak.
The construction and renovation of homes not only benefit direct recipients but also create economic opportunities for people living in surrounding communities. Baznas involves local workers in the construction process.
The involvement of local workers is part of an approach aimed at empowering the community. Residents in the surrounding areas gain employment opportunities while also earning income from construction work carried out in their own communities.
Through this model, the home renovation program has a broader impact. Assistance is not limited to improving the housing conditions of beneficiary families but also helps stimulate economic activity in affected communities.
The Deli Serdang Government and Baznas Deli Serdang hope that the cooperation can continue to expand, allowing more people to gain access to adequate housing while also obtaining better opportunities to improve their standard of living.
The cooperation between the local government, Baznas, government employees and the public in managing zakat also represents a form of collective solidarity in addressing social problems. The local government remains committed to ensuring that the partnership continues to produce measurable and targeted programs whose benefits directly reach the community.
Through the renovation of uninhabitable homes, the government and Baznas aim to provide adequate housing for families in need while supporting poverty reduction efforts in Deli Serdang Regency. The program is also expected to generate sustainable secondary impacts through the involvement of local workers and the stimulation of economic activity within the community. (IDNC)
REPORTER: Edi Saputra | EDITOR: Fik Sagala