This paper aims to examine the current sustainability assessments of affordable housing in Malaysia by reviewing existing tools used in project development. In line with global concerns on sustainable development and advancement in the development of tools accessing sustainability, Malaysia has also implemented similar green assessment systems such as Green Building Initiative (GBI), Green Real Estate (GreenRE), the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Low Carbon Building Assessment, etc. The scope and focus of each are somewhat different, with each of these targeting specific types of building or development sectors; but none has been developed to suit the requirements of high-rise low-income or affordable housing. Indeed, this is a special sector considering its circumstances of low budget and thus limiting itself in resource utilization and construction implementation. This paper argues that there are inadequacies in the existing sustainable assessment systems with regard to the special requirements of the high-rise affordable housing sector. In this paper, we will discuss these issues and highlight some of the inadequacies. Data derived mainly from a content analysis of policy documents and news reports. Examples and data focusing on Penang state are featured. The findings are part of a study in developing a framework of sustainability assessment for high-rise affordable housing in Malaysia.