In the 60th HDB build flat
basically is to provide the basic needs of the citizens. Prices at
that time are very reasonable with a 3 rooms flat causing only $8K.
HDB had done excellent jobs in providing a roof over the citizens
at that time.
As Singapore become developed and the housing need
for the young generation change, price of the HDB flat had
increased as expected over the years.
Price of HDB flat had increased at tremendous speed
for the past 2 years by at least 40% on average. However, the
salary increase had either been freeze or by a sum less than 3% pa
for the past 2 years due to the financial crisis.
The majority of the young married couples or parents
are very worry as the HDB flat may be beyond their
reach.
Average Income young married couples have only two
options
1) To
purchase directly from HDB as it is cheaper than to purchase from
the open market. HDB had claimed that
it priced its new flat 30% lower compare to open market prices.
Flat in the open market had increase by 40% over a period of 2
years. So overall the new flat should also have increased by about
40%. No forgetting the waiting time for a new flat (BTO) is average
3 years, excluding balloting time wasted for BTO
project.
Example: A friend of mind brought a new 4 room
flat 2.5 years ago at pungol priced $198k. Now a new 4 room flat
cost average $268k at the same location. Increase of 35% in
price.
2) To
purchase from the open market is of a high price. A 4 room flat at
the non-mature area like Sengkang could easily cost over $350k.
Noted that the price increase is about 40% over a period of 2
years. Not forgetting that salary increase is less than 3% pa or
freeze for some trade due to the global economic crisis.
It is therefore crucial for the government (MND) and
HDB to look into the basic need of all Singaporean. The housing
need is the basic structure for the formation of new family which
will encourage younger Singaporeans to get married and have more
babies. With the increase in the standard of living, plus the great
increase in housing price, the young will be discourage having more
babies due to affordability.
There must be a balance between housing needs,
children education needs, retirement needs as well as medical
needs.
All in one, Housing need is still the basic and
essential criteria to form a family.
HDB should consider the following proposal to
control the price of HDB flat:
1) Building
time for new HDB flat (BTO) should be reduced to about 2 years
including the balloting time for BTO flat.
2) Propose
to have Queue system so that all citizens will have a fair chance
to select their choice flat. Have a greater differentiate in prices
between high and low floor units so as to cater to all group of
different financial capability. Unit with better facing should be
price higher. In this case all units should be taken up during
selection.
3) All
application will be given only one chance to select a new flat when
queue is due. Should have a bar period of 1 years for these who
turn down the offer to select a flat. These who give up their
chance will have to re-apply after 1 year. This will reflect the
true demand of new flat.
4) The
minimum occupation period should be raise to 5 years for PR whom
buys HDB flat from open market. This will prevent property
speculation by the PR.
5) PR who
sells the HDB flat should be subject to 30% profit tax when they
sell their unit. This will generate some income for the government
to help the needy family.
6) PR should
be allows to buy from the open market once only.
7) A $30K
citizenship deposit should be imposed for PR buying HDB flat. The
deposit will be refund once the PR convert to citizen within 3
years or else the deposit will be forfeited. This will encourage
citizenship so as to increase our population.
8) HDB
should put up more flat for sale under the BTO scheme. Currently
each BTO had subscription ratio of 1:6 to 1:10. This is an
indication of strong demand. Propose to have 2 BTO offer each month
with 2000 unit for selection.
Do hope that the government and the respective
organizations can look into this issue seriously for the benefit of
all our citizens. Do share our problems and sorrows so as to unite
together as Singaporeans. Please gives us listening ears and shows
some compassion and loving kindness for the all the citizens
especially the working class.
A big thank for your time to read this article and
let hope for a better day for all Singaporean.