Tag Archives: BTO

Combine BTO with queue system

Posted on 4 Jun 2011 | Comments Off on Combine BTO with queue system

THE Housing Board’s Build-to-Order (BTO) system was introduced in 2002 to replace the Walk-in Selection (WIS) system in order to prevent another repeat of the more than 30,000 unsold units in 1997.

While BTO is the right approach as it reflects real demand, replacing the queue system with the current balloting system is not. We have cases where people are unsuccessful at the ballot even after many tries, while those who are successful reject their offers because they do not get the unit they fancy.

These undesirable side-effects of balloting can be eliminated if HDB were to revert to the queue system while retaining the BTO system. When a new BTO is launched, applicants would be invited to select a unit with priority given to those at the front of the queue.

Those who reject an offer would have to join the back of the queue and their place can be offered to other applicants in line. When the BTO has enough applicants, the project can go ahead.

This combination BTO-queue system is fairer as it gives priority to those genuine about getting a unit. It is also faster as it does away with the need to conduct a balloting exercise before the applicants are called up to book a unit.

Source : Today – 4 Jun 2011

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Singling out singles

Posted on 4 Jun 2011 | Comments Off on Singling out singles

They’re caught in housing market’s no-man’s land.

THE new National Development Minister, Mr Khaw Boon Wan, has recognised the needs of young couples, divorcees with children and the poor as the groups needing help in getting on the property ladder.

However, I urge Mr Khaw not to leave out the growing group of single Singaporeans who aspire to move out of their family home and have a place of their own.

Currently, single Singaporeans aged 35 and above, with a monthly household income of more than S$3,000, do not qualify for any form of housing subsidies and are only eligible to purchase HDB flats from the resale market.

Single Singaporeans in this category are often caught in no-man’s land as the prices of private properties and resale HDB flats are astronomical and to purchase any of these properties would often mean wiping out their CPF savings and tying themselves down to a very long loan re-payment period.

In terms of nation-building, this group of singles contributes a substantial amount of taxes and many of them take on a bigger role looking after their aged parents. This is notwithstanding the fact that their parents would want to see them have a place of their own, too.

Although the Government’s focus is still on the core family unit, there is no doubt that as a country develops and societal values change inevitably, this segment of the population will become bigger in the years to come.

According to the 2010 Singapore Census, the proportion of single Singaporeans in the younger age groups had risen in the last 10 years. Their ability to own a piece of property will determine their quality of life.

I hope Mr Khaw will spend some time studying the needs of this group of Singaporeans as the Government has pledged to build a more inclusive Singapore.

Source : Today – 4 Jun 2011

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Posted in General, HDB

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