Tag Archives: Public housing

Not possible for all mature estates to have BTO projects

Posted on 2 Jun 2011 | Comments Off on Not possible for all mature estates to have BTO projects

National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan on Wednesday said while he has asked HDB to put up more Build to Order (BTO) projects in mature estates, it will not be possible for many of them to benefit from this development, certainly not in the short term.

Writing in his blog, Mr Khaw said this is because most of the mature estates are substantially built up, and there is limited land for public housing.

He was commenting on a media report of a young couple looking forward to a BTO project in Tanjong Pagar.

The Minister said Tanjong Pagar is fully built up and a BTO there is unlikely.

While HDB is still studying the details, Mr Khaw said mature estates such as Kallang/Whampoa and Tampines could benefit from BTO launches next year.

Mr Khaw said his ministry will do its best to meet young couples’ aspiration to be able to continue to live near their parents.

But it will not be able to do so in every mature estate.

National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan on Wednesday said while he has asked HDB to put up more Build to Order (BTO) projects in mature estates, it will not be possible for many of them to benefit from this development, certainly not in the short term.

Writing in his blog, Mr Khaw said this is because most of the mature estates are substantially built up, and there is limited land for public housing.

He was commenting on a media report of a young couple looking forward to a BTO project in Tanjong Pagar.

The Minister said Tanjong Pagar is fully built up and a BTO there is unlikely.

While HDB is still studying the details, Mr Khaw said mature estates such as Kallang/Whampoa and Tampines could benefit from BTO launches next year.

Mr Khaw said his ministry will do its best to meet young couples’ aspiration to be able to continue to live near their parents.

But it will not be able to do so in every mature estate.

Source : CNA – 1 Jun 2011

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Apply new ceiling retrospectively

Posted on 2 Jun 2011 | Comments Off on Apply new ceiling retrospectively

Letter from Alvin Eng

I REFER to the report, “Strike balance when reviewing HDB income ceiling” (May 31).

Indeed, it is important that the Housing and Development Board (HDB) strike a balance when recalibrating the income ceiling.

Just as setting it too low would render the exercise cosmetic, setting it too high could result in a surge in housing demand which could, in turn, push up prices, thereby neutralising the move.

What the article omitted, however, is the equally important need to strike a balance with respect to the timing of when the revised policy would be effective.

Young couples priced out of the private housing market due to the recent rally would have had to turn to buying HDB flats.

But some of them may have a combined income that just breached the existing ceiling (not unusual for two professionals who have worked a few years) and are, therefore, ineligible to buy HDB flats directly or receive the housing grant.

Thus, whilst reviewing the income ceiling, the HDB should consider retrospectively applying the new policy, say to Jan 1 this year, so as to allow this group to also benefit from the Government’s housing policy.

Source : Today – 1 Jun 2011

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