Responsive Urban Poverty Model in Malaysia: A Strategic Framework for Addressing Urban Poverty Among the B40 Population

Urban poverty among Malaysia’s Bottom 40 per cent (B40) urban households is multidimensional, spanning unstable employment, inadequate housing, limited healthcare access, and social isolation. This paper develops the Responsive Urban Poverty Model, a four-phase, age-sensitive framework (1) Identification, (2) Planning, (3) Development and (4) Implementation; derived from mixed quantitative evidence and policy analysis. We combine national secondary datasets with a structured household survey (n = 564) conducted in three Program Perumahan Rakyat (PPR) communities to profile vulnerability among two cohorts which are working-age adults (20–59 years) and older adults (≥ 60 years). Results show distinct vulnerability patterns: working-age respondents experience income instability and informal employment, while older adults face retirement insecurity and elevated healthcare dependency. The model translates these empirical patterns into differentiated interventions: workforce upskilling and job-matching for working-age cohorts; integrated elder-friendly services and targeted financial support for older cohorts. The framework emphasizes multi-stakeholder governance and community support hubs to coordinate service delivery. We conclude by discussing implementation priorities, limitations of the current study (sample scope and generalizability), and directions for empirical evaluation of model pilots. The model offers a replicable policy instrument for age-sensitive urban poverty alleviation in rapidly urbanizing contexts.