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Tag: HDB

  • Housing Moves To Benefit HDB Sector, Hit Private Market

    Housing Moves To Benefit HDB Sector, Hit Private Market

    The increases in income ceilings for households buying new Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats and Executive Condominiums (ECs), and the Proximity Housing Grant will drive more buyers to the public-housing market and hit the private residential sector, said analysts on Sunday (Aug 23).

    In his National Day Rally speech, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced the raising of the income ceilings for new HDB flats and ECs by S$2,000 each, to S$12,000 and S$14,000 respectively — the first increase since August 2011.

    “This ceiling change probably enlarges the choices for homeowners. Some demand from the private market may be drawn away to the public housing market. The impact seen would most likely be on mass-market condominiums,” said Mr Eugene Lim, key executive officer at property agency ERA.

    Associate Professor Sing Tien Foo from the Department of Real Estate at the National University of Singapore said: “It is a good move as it would allow more people to buy an HDB flat. The scheme would now cover up to 90 per cent of the population. There is a lot of pent-up demand and the sandwiched class in between the pricing tier is the group that will benefit the most from the price revisions.

    “Mass-market condominium developers may need to evaluate their pricing strategies as their properties are closest in comparison to ECs,” he added.

    PROXIMITY HOUSING SCHEME

    To help couples live closer to their parents, the Government will introduce a Proximity Housing Grant for all Singaporeans, Mr Lee announced on Sunday. The grant will be given to those who buy a resale flat with or near their parents, or to parents who buy a resale flat near their married children.

    “Due to the grant, we may actually see an increase in demand for resale flats in the coming weeks,” said Mr Nicholas Mak, executive director of research and consultancy at property firm SLP International.

    “This is beneficial for families as a lot of children want to live near their parents. It solves a practical issue as parents are usually in the older estates, while their children live in newer estates,” said Mr Lim.

    “With this proximity housing scheme giving (couples) more grants so they can buy resale flats nearer their parents, I think it will be helpful in solving practical problems residents face,” said Nee Soon GRC MP Lee Bee Wah, who chairs the Government Parliamentary Committee for National Development and Environment.

    Mr Lee also said the Special CPF Housing Grant (SHG) would be extended to cover more households, by raising the income ceiling to S$8,500 from S$6,500. The maximum grant amount of S$20,000 will also be doubled to S$40,000.

    “The SHG is largely meant to help people own a flat. The grant will most likely benefit first-time owners buying Build-to-Order flats the most,” said Mr Lim.

    HELPING LOW-INCOME FAMILIES

    The Fresh Start Housing Scheme announced by Mr Lee is aimed at helping former homeowners, who are currently living in rental flats, own a two-room unit. These flats will come with shorter leases and stricter resale conditions so they will be more affordable.

    Moulmein-Kallang GRC Member of Parliament, Ms Denise Phua, who chairs the Government Parliamentary Committee for Social and Family Development, said the scheme is part of a broad approach to help these low-income households.

    “For those at risk of being left behind, housing is not one of the key issues. Housing is one of the outcomes of several things. They could be born disadvantaged. They could be disadvantaged due to circumstances,” said Ms Phua.

    “If you really want to help people out of the poverty spiral, then I think it’s important to look at things holistically, not just in terms of material, physical or economic items,” she said.

    The education and social-services sectors have to play their part, while the community needs to come in to provide all-rounded support, she added.

     

    Source: www.channelnewsasia.com

  • Khaw Boon Wan: Warga Tua Inginkan Flat Studio Tidak Perlu Dapatkan Pinjaman

    Khaw Boon Wan: Warga Tua Inginkan Flat Studio Tidak Perlu Dapatkan Pinjaman

    Menteri Pembangunan Negara, Khaw Boon Wan berkata, flat-flat studio apartmen dikhususkan untuk warga tua yang ingin memiliki flat dengan saiz yang sesuai untuk mereka.

    Ini membolehkan mereka untuk membeli flat-flat sedemikian menggunakan hasil penjualan rumah mereka dan tidak perlu mendapatkan pinjaman perumahan.

    Encik Mr Khaw berkata demikian di Parlimen semasa menjawab soalan yang diajukan oleh AP Gan Thiam Poh.

    Encik Gan telah menanyakan sama ada HDB menimbangkan pinjaman kepada warga tua yang ingin membeli flat-flat studio apartmen.

    Beliau juga bertanya sekiranya jaminan peribadi boleh ditawarkan untuk pinjaman yang dibayar oleh anak warga tua berkenaan.

    Encik Khaw menjelaskan, sejauh ini HDB tidak menerima sebarang perjanjian dari penjamin dalam menawarkan pinjaman perumahan.

    Encik Khaw berkata, ia bagi mengelak sebarang pertikaian antara pemilik flat serta penjamin sekiranya berlaku bayaran yang tertunggak.

    Source: http://berita.mediacorp.sg

  • HDB Tells Irate DBSS Owner To Fix Own Problem As Defects Liability Period Over

    HDB Tells Irate DBSS Owner To Fix Own Problem As Defects Liability Period Over

    Ms Wee, one of the residents at the Design, Build and Sell Scheme (DBSS), The Peak at Toa Payoh filed a complaint with the Housing Development Board (HDB) after having a huge long crack appearing on her balcony door.

    Ms Wee wrote to the HDB, “My balcony door has a huge long crack that suddenly appeared without any impact of any sort. I am worried that it will break further and hurt my toddler and preschooler.”

    cracked screen

    The reply by HDB is as followed,

    “Our inspection on 11 Aug 2015 revealed that there is a crack on the bottom left area of 2nd panel master bedroom glass sliding door towards the master bedroom balcony area. We wish to explain that the flat purchasers have entered into a Sale and Purchase (S&P) agreement directly with the developer.

    We wish to inform that the defects liability period under Clause 17 of the Sale and Purchase Agreement is 12 months from the date you receive the Notice of Vacant Possession. The defects liability period for your flat has since expired on 4 Jun 2013.

    We understand that the developer has replied to you pertaining to your feedback on the master bedroom sliding door. To address your safety concerns, you may engage own contractor to proceed with the replacement accordingly.”

    Frustration due to multiple defects

    In Ms Wee’s reply to HDB, she claimed that the developer has yet replied to her query. She also exclaimed that despite living in her former flat at Toa Payoh Lorong 2 for more than 2 decades prior to moving, she never had a sliding door glass or any of her windows for that matter, crack in this manner for no rhyme or reason.

    She therefore thinks it is probobly either there was a hairline crack in the window, not visible to the human eye (just like the MBR toilet’s ceiling’s waterproofing was broken by their worker whilst installing the brackets) or the material is not good.

    “These are things I cannot figure out before the DLP is up right? But the built of it definitely has issues IMHO. It’s been less than three years since we moved in. Call me baffled.” said Ms Wee.

    She added that she thinks it is terribly unfair that residents have been charged an arm and a leg for the DBSS flats, and then realize that lousy materials were used and then have to further pay to fix the issue.

    “I frankly cannot afford to fix it with three kids on a single income. We never imagined this sort of incident could happen neither did could we possible imagine that the DBSS flats are of such inferior make and quality. HDB must not assume if people live in DBSS flats, they must be rich and be able to afford such repairs. Financial circumstances can change.” said Ms Wee.

    She asked HDB to advice me on how she can request for further assistance in this matter as she is not willing to have to take on the burden of replacing this glass door.

    Referring to the existing defects in her HDB flat, Ms Wee lamented, “We already have so many things to replace in less than two years – cabinet doors have warped, bathroom fixtures were not working slightly after a year, kitchen tap is rusting after the 1.5 years mark. The cost to replace all that is already phenomenal for a single income family.”

    The recent cases of DBSS’s defects have been a hot topic among citizens in the past few months.

    For example, Pasir Ris ONE, drew national attention for its narrow corridor, badly designed ceiling of the corridor, and for its poor workmanship within the units.

    In June, and in response to these complaints, the HDB said most of the flaws were “surface imperfections”.

    Minister of National Development, Mr Khaw Boon Wan has so far not said much about the complaints, except that homeowners can send their feedback to MND and the HDB, and they would see if they could assist homeowners after looking into the cases.

     

    Source: www.theonlinecitizen.com

  • It’s The Singapore Way: Very Wealthy And Still Living With Mum

    It’s The Singapore Way: Very Wealthy And Still Living With Mum

    Everyone knows Singapore is an expensive country that’s transforming itself into a smart city. Here are five less-known facts about the island nation as it marks its 50th year of independence.

    Costly cars

    Car buyers in Singapore must bid for a limited number of permits — called Certificates of Entitlement — that are auctioned by the government. It’s tool used to control pollution and congestion and can more than double the vehicle’s market value. Consequently, an average family sedan can cost almost as much as a home in the U.S.

    Economic miracle

    The country went from third world to first in two generations. Singapore took 22 years to double its GDP per capita, about half the time of other developed economies including Australia. Its GDP per capita was S$71,318 ($52,000) in 2014, among the highest in the world. The island also has among the highest proportions of millionaire households, according to Boston Consulting Group.

    Living at home

    The majority of housing in Singapore is built by the government. More than 80 percent of the resident population lives in such accommodation, which is typically cheaper than privately developed properties. Because of these dynamics and a rule that prohibits most single Singaporeans from buying a public housing apartment while single — unless they are at least 35 years old — an overwhelming majority of unmarried adults live with their parents. And are big fans of Airbnb.

    Mandatory military service

    Singapore is among a handful of developed nations with compulsory military service for its male residents and citizens. The National Service is for a period of about two years, and typically begins at age 18, unless there are exceptional circumstances — like training for the Olympics, for example.

    Highly paid ministers

    Singapore’s prime minister is among the world’s highest paid heads of state. The government has justified his and other ministers’ salaries on the grounds that it helps attract top talent that might otherwise be lost to the private sector, and that it discourages corruption. It cut ministers’ salaries in 2012 after voter unhappiness over a widening income gap in the country. But they’re still very comfortably off.

     

    Source: http://english.astroawani.com

  • Singaporean Tower Crane Operator Terminated For Exposing Unsafe Construction Practices At Punggol HDB Site

    Singaporean Tower Crane Operator Terminated For Exposing Unsafe Construction Practices At Punggol HDB Site

    Hi Gilbert

    I’m Edward a Singaporean tower crane operator.

    My salary is only $2500 but I was terminated by my company for exposing unsafe practices at my construction site.at Punggol after started working in April this year.

    I have observed the way foreign workers built our HDB BTO in a very wrong way.

    Recently, I  read about the defective BTO issue and know that I can no longer keep quiet about this because one day I’ll stay in one of this too.

    Please advise which is the proper channel I can raise my concern to.

    Even after water was added from the cement truck they continue to add water during casting when the bucket reach the top.

    Mixing of water can only  be done in the cement plant and when it reaches the site no more water should be added to it.

    The quality of the cement must be inspected and approved by the RTO before it can be use to cast our floor, ceiling and even pillars.

    My signal men also knew I took photo of their reckless unsafe hoisting procedures and they threatened that I’m not allow to report or expose any photos taken to MOM or related authorities.

    Editor’s note: the writer’s last day was on 31st July after he was terminated for trying to expose the unsafe malpractices of the sub con Hong Dat Engineering Pte Ltd. The writer has written to MOM about the matter.

     

    Source: www.transitioning.org