The great public housing debate

Insight examines the six most hotly debated issues among house-hunters today.

		Interest in Housing Board flats, especially new projects like the one on display at the HDB Hub, is rising as prices of resale flats soar to new highs. The resultant crunch has caused fingers to be pointed in all directions. — PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO

THE financial gloom has barely lifted, and economic uncertainties still cloud the horizon, and yet prices of resale HDB flats have hit an all-time high.

Home-seekers priced out of resale flats have jammed queues for new flats, prompting the Housing Board to ramp up its supply of new flats for the coming months.

National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan has assured the public that there are enough affordable flats for everyone, but stressed that home-seekers have to manage their expectations about getting a home in a prime location.

The voices of discontent, however, refuse to go away. Critics have accused the HDB of profiting from the sale of flats and blamed the growing number of permanent residents for pushing up home prices.

Just how valid are these views? Insight scrutinises the statistics and asks the experts to weigh in on six of the most common complaints.

See also : HDB launches two new BTO projects

Source : Straits Times – 17 Oct 2009