SINGAPORE: No playgrounds or covered walkways in new HDB
estates. Nor any barbecue pits. New flats should have very basic
floor tiles, meanwhile.
It is hardly the usual call from Members of Parliament (MPs),
who tend to push for upgrading in their constituencies. But two
among their ranks are making the call for “no—frills” housing.
According to Dr Lim Wee Kiak and Ms Lee Bee Wah, this should be
an option for home buyers and one way to provide more affordable
housing.
Dr Lim’s residents in Sembawang, for example, have told him HDB
flat prices are high and younger residents who want to move out of
their parents’ homes after marriage find it hard to do so.
“Many of them have just started work and may not have so much
cash,” he told TODAY. “You’re giving them a chance to build
something simple, and over the years when their salaries increase,
they may want to improve their homes.”
When he first raised this in Parliament on Friday, Dr Lim gave
the example of flat prices in the 1970s: S$15,000 and S$20,000 for
a three—room and four—room flat respectively. A graduate with a
starting salary of S$1,000 could pay off his apartment with 15 to
25 months of his pay, he said.
But today, though their starting salaries are three to five
times higher, the prices of new flats have shot up “10 to 30
times”, he added.
“A high cost of housing has many repercussions as it results in
higher costs of living, reduction of resources for other pursuits
such as education and investment,” he said.
His solution, he envisions, would lower construction costs and
allow flats to be sold for “well below S$100,000”.
But covered link—ways, playgrounds and other upgrading works can
be done later when the estate is more mature, he added.
Echoing his views, Ms Lee (Ang Mo Kio) said HDB “should avoid
building flats with too many value—added features”, which should be
left to private developers.
When contacted, other MPs had mixed feelings, however, about
whether there is a place for no—frills flats in Singapore’s public
housing spectrum.
Mr Teo Ser Luck (Pasir Ris—Punggol) said the biggest gripe,
instead, among couples he has spoken to is the long waiting time
for a new flat.
The no—frills idea may also not appeal to younger buyers, who
aspire more and are more demanding. “They’re more well informed and
have specific demands for the quality of life they want,” said Mr
Teo.
Mr Zaqy Mohamad (Hong Kah) was concerned that owners who do not
like having the bare minimum might “start hacking and doing it up
all over again”.
“I don’t think people are saying 'give me no—frills’, but
they’re asking for cheaper alternatives,” he said, and suggested
that three—room flats — with quality — would be good for younger
couples.
“I think we should create more supply in that segment,” he said.
“They can always look at upgrading options later.”
In his Parliamentary reply on Friday, National Development
Minister Mah Bow Tan said HDB will launch about 3,000 flats for
sale in the first half of this year, of which 1,400 will be studio
apartments, two— and three—room flats. There will be 4,000 of such
flats launched over the next two years.
“We’ll increase the supply of smaller and lower—priced flats
further if necessary to meet the demand from the lower income
group,” he said.
Dr Lim had other suggestions as well: Price homes based on cost
rather than matching them to market conditions, and shorten the
lease from the current 99 years.
Some home hunters welcomed his call for no—frills flats.
Technician Chen Yi, 29, got married in November and is staying
in a Woodlands executive flat with his wife, parents and two
siblings.
Mr Chen has been looking for a matrimonial home but has been
unsuccessful because prices of resale flats have been out of reach,
and he does not want to wait several years for a new flat.
“I don’t mind if my home has just one bedroom and a hall,” he
said. “Even if it’s cramped like those apartments in Hong Kong, I
don’t care. I just want a place where I can have privacy.” —
TODAY/yb
Frankly times are bad and people do not have the money. What is
so hard for them to understand that people have no money for roof
over their head and food to eat . Why are they still thinking that
people want more then basic flats !!!
I think it is time to re-consider our housing - everyone stay
and grow up in old estate before, what wrong with it ?
It is cheap and good. Over the years HDB have try to add a lot
of unneeded to jack up the price. What the use if the price goes
way up ... when people have to work their asses off to pay for it,
if they are working their asses off - they are not at home to enjoy
it - so those nices extra would be wasted.
Think the call for lower budget housing like the good old days-
plain, simple is good.