PR's plea on lift upgrading
Published on Aug 11, 2011
SINGAPOREANS are lucky to have the Government upgrade their homes
by subsidising lift upgrading by up to 95 per cent ('Why lift
upgrading cannot be compulsory' by the Housing Board; last
Saturday).
However, permanent residents (PRs) are not eligible to vote in lift
upgrading. Why is this so?
PRs pay the full market price for their resale HDB flats and
conservancy charges, and do not enjoy service and conservancy
rebates.
They regard their flats as their homes and contribute to nation
building through the taxes they pay. And yet, when HDB asks
residents to vote on the lift upgrading for their blocks, PRs are
not allowed to vote on the physical work that will affect their
homes directly. On top of that, PRs are asked to pay the full
unsubsidised price.
The increased cost borne by PRs is unlikely to be recouped from a
higher resale price, as citizens do not have to pay for it and so
can sell their flats at a lower price. A PR owner's only option is
to sell his flat before the lift upgrading is completed.
Give PRs a voice on changes to their homes.
Sin Kuan Cheung
http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/...ry_700651.html