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19-08-2013, 06:40 PM
An honorable member of the Coffee Shop Has Just Posted the Following:
NDR Speech: HDB ‘a compassionate housing developer’? (http://www.tremeritus.com/2013/08/19/ndr-speech-hdb-a-compassionate-housing-developer/)
http://images.dmca.com/Badges/dmca_protected_sml_120n.png?ID=f11d7371-0ef1-483b-888a-04e8d2ba2e94 http://www.tremeritus.org/wp-content/themes/WP_010/images/PostDateIcon.png August 19th, 2013 | http://www.tremeritus.org/wp-content/themes/WP_010/images/PostAuthorIcon.png Author: Contributions (http://www.tremeritus.com/author/contributor/)
I refer to the article “National Day Rally 2013: Live updates (http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/national-day-rally-2013-live-updates)” (Today, Aug 18).
HDB affordable and always within reach of everyone?
It states that “HOUSING: We built record number of new flats, delinked new flat prices from resale market and allowed singles to buy BTO. We want to help Singaporeans own their own homes, raise loving families and build strong communities. I will make sure every Singaporean family who is working can afford a HDB flat. We can do that.”
8.24pm: “A family earning $1,000 can afford a 2-room flat. Those who earn $2,000 can buy 3-room flat. And those who earn S$4,000 can afford a 4-roomm flat if they use their CPF to pay off 25-year loan. We will give families who can afford 2-room flats Step-Up Housing Grants to help them upgrade to 3-room flats. We will also extend grants so that a middle-income household will get up to S$20,000 more if they buy a 4-room flat.”
8.26pm: “We will monitor housing affordability closely and make sure that an HDB flat is always within reach.”
According to the Straits Times reporting of the NDR speech (http://www.straitstimes.com/) – “The cheapest flat is $150,000.” Applause. But it is not a cheap flat, says the PM who is acting as a “housing agent” (but with no commission from Khaw Boon Wan, he quips.) He proceeds to show why it is a flat worth having.”
I also understand that it was said something along the lines that the poorest Singaporeans have an asset of $200,000 in an HDB flat.
What about those who can’t afford or not eligible for BTO?
The above seems to be referring only to Singaporeans who can afford or are eligible to buy new BTO flats. What about the hundreds of thousands of Singaporeans in HDB rental flats, Interim Housing Scheme HDB flats, homeless shelters, the homeless, renting a room or a HDB flat in the open market, etc?
HDB is great and compassionate?
In this connection, I would also like to refer to the article “HDB has not lost heart: Khaw (http://news.asiaone.com/news/singapore/hdb-has-not-lost-heart-khaw)” (Straits Times, Aug 16).
According to the publication “Housing Matters (http://mndsingapore.wordpress.com/2013/08/16/a-compassionate-housing-developer/)”:
http://www.tremeritus.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/l9.jpg
HDB houses 80% of all Singaporeans. It is the largest housing developer in Singapore. And a compassionate one too.
Whenever an unexpected family tragedy comes to our attention, HDB officers, together with the local grassroots leaders, will immediately visit the bereaved family to find out how we can be of help.
Our guiding principle is always “Compassion” and we will consider all practical options. Our hearts especially go out to victims of circumstances. Often, they involve young children.
For example, two years ago, a Singaporean man passed away suddenly while at work, leaving behind his non-Singaporean wife and 4 young Singapore children. The family had actually been looking forward to moving into their new Build-to-Order (BTO) flat in Choa Chu Kang, but their hopes were dashed with the freak accident. As the widow is a foreigner, the family was at risk of (a) having to move out of their rental flat, and (b) losing their BTO flat which the deceased had worked hard to buy.
HDB officers immediately reached out to them, exercised good judgement and worked out a comprehensive housing arrangement. The family got to keep their BTO flat application so that the young children would continue to have a roof over their heads and also live their late father’s dream of providing a home for his family. HDB went one step further and lowered their monthly rental fee so that the mother and children could find their feet and continue with their lives.
There was also a recent case where the flat owner and his wife had to stop working due to serious medical conditions which led to their defaulting on mortgage payments. HDB waived the minimum occupation period (MOP) and allowed the couple to sell off their flat and move in with their children. This had eased their financial burden and enabled them to focus on their medical treatment.
Last month, I came across another unfortunate case at my MPS. A couple had passed away suddenly, leaving their only child behind. The girl, in her teens, was still schooling and therefore financially incapable of keeping up with mortgage payments. HDB made a special exception, and deferred the mortgage payments until she starts working. She can thus focus on school and not worry about the mortgage payments.
This case also highlighted the need and the value of a mortgage-reducing insurance (MRI). Had the parents of this orphan subscribed to one, the MRI would have helped to pay off the outstanding loan and the girl would have been able to continue staying in the flat. Unfortunately, her parents did not take up such an insurance policy.
Currently, HDB flat owners using their CPF to service their housing loans are required to take up the Home Protection Scheme (HPS), or an equivalent MRI scheme. The HPS is inexpensive and starts from as little as $13 a month, for a 30-year loan of $250,000. There is no cash outlay as payment can be made using CPF. But some HDB flat owners do not subscribe to such insurance.
HDB will be as compassionate as it can to help victims of circumstances address their housing needs when tragedies strike. However, parents should also help their children and plan ahead. Buying an appropriate insurance is one good avenue.”
5,500 letters of appeal in 1 GRC?
In this connection, I would like to ask how many of the 5,500 letters of appeal written by MPs of Ang Mo Kio GRC to the HDB in one year (2012), were successful? (“5,500 letters of appeal on HDB in 2012 in 1 GRC? (http://leongszehian.com/?p=2670)“, Jan 17)
99,000 letters of appeal all GRCs?
With 5,500 letters of appeal on HDB in one year in just one GRC, how many letters of appeal were written for all the GRCs and SMCs? – About 99,000? (15 GRCs and 12 SMCs)
Successful appeals’ percentage?
What percentage of these were successful?
In addition to these letters of appeal from MPs, I believe there may be tens of thousands of appeals to the HDB, either in writing or orally, which did not go through the MPs.
So, what percentage of all appeals to the HDB were successful?
A “statistically” ‘Compassionate Housing Developer’?
Surely, disclosing the statistics will make Singaporeans even more proud of the HDB as “a Compassionate Housing Developer”.
BTO flat rescinded on death?
By the way, as to “As the widow is a foreigner, the family was at risk of (a) having to move out of their rental flat, and (b) losing their BTO flat which the deceased had worked hard to buy.
HDB officers immediately reached out to them, exercised good judgement and worked out a comprehensive housing arrangement. The family got to keep their BTO flat application so that the young children would continue to have a roof over their heads and also live their late father’s dream of providing a home for his family” – does this mean that even though a BTO flat has been purchased, it will normally be rescinded by the HDB if the Singaporean spouse dies, leaving behind a foreign spouse widow?
HDB rental flat eviction on death?
Also, does it mean that when the Singaporean spouse of a HDB rental flat dies, his foreign spouse will no longer be eligible to continue renting the HDB flat?
If so, why do we have such policies? (“HDB: 18 appeals and still homeless (http://leongszehian.com/?p=715)“, Jun 11, 2011)
Countless housing woes’ appeals?
In my volunteer work doing financial counseling for needy Singaporeans, I have come across thousands of cases over the last decade or so – of Singaporeans who made repeated appeals to the HDB over their housing woes to no avail.
(“Mother with 2 children homeless in 2 weeks? (http://leongszehian.com/?p=5385)“, Jul 6)
(“Daughter became homeless caring for disabled mother (http://leongszehian.com/?p=1897)“, Sep 25, 2012)
(“Housing woes of a single mother? (http://leongszehian.com/?p=1768)“, Aug 2, 2012)
(“Singaporean loses HDB flat, foreign wife runs away (Part 3) (http://leongszehian.com/?p=1640)“, Jun 8, 2012)
(“Homeless family lives in an office (http://leongszehian.com/?p=1627)“, May 31, 2012)
(“HDB: Why not so easy to downgrade (http://leongszehian.com/?p=811)“, Jun 28, 2011)
(“Homeless and Abandoned with Four Children (http://leongszehian.com/?p=778)“, Jun 21, 2011)
(“HDB downgrading and financial stress FAQ (http://leongszehian.com/?p=725)“, Jun 15, 2011)
(“HDB: $431,000 CPF – But homeless soon? (http://leongszehian.com/?p=703)“, Jun 19, 2011)
(“Divorced – and facing housing woes (http://leongszehian.com/?p=346)“, May 12, 2011)
With reference to Dr Ang Yong Guan’s facebook posting “Khaw quotes selectively an Economist article to run down (https://www.facebook.com/angyongguan23) users of FB” – since Dr Ang is a psychiatrist, perhaps selectivity may be a compulsive disorder.
Leong Sze Hian
Leong Sze Hian is the Past President of the Society of Financial Service Professionals, an alumnus of Harvard University, Wharton Fellow, SEACeM Fellow and an author of 4 books. He is frequently quoted in the media. He has also been invited to speak more than 100 times in 25 countries on 5 continents. He has served as Honorary Consul of Jamaica, Chairman of the Institute of Administrative Management, and founding advisor to the Financial Planning Associations of Brunei and Indonesia. He has 3 Masters, 2 Bachelors degrees and 13 professional qualifications. He blogs at http://www.leongszehian.com (http://www.leongszehian.com/).
Click here to view the whole thread at www.sammyboy.com (http://www.sammyboy.com/showthread.php?160359-Uncle-Leong-HDB-‘a-compassionate-housing-developer’-MY-FOOT!&goto=newpost).
NDR Speech: HDB ‘a compassionate housing developer’? (http://www.tremeritus.com/2013/08/19/ndr-speech-hdb-a-compassionate-housing-developer/)
http://images.dmca.com/Badges/dmca_protected_sml_120n.png?ID=f11d7371-0ef1-483b-888a-04e8d2ba2e94 http://www.tremeritus.org/wp-content/themes/WP_010/images/PostDateIcon.png August 19th, 2013 | http://www.tremeritus.org/wp-content/themes/WP_010/images/PostAuthorIcon.png Author: Contributions (http://www.tremeritus.com/author/contributor/)
I refer to the article “National Day Rally 2013: Live updates (http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/national-day-rally-2013-live-updates)” (Today, Aug 18).
HDB affordable and always within reach of everyone?
It states that “HOUSING: We built record number of new flats, delinked new flat prices from resale market and allowed singles to buy BTO. We want to help Singaporeans own their own homes, raise loving families and build strong communities. I will make sure every Singaporean family who is working can afford a HDB flat. We can do that.”
8.24pm: “A family earning $1,000 can afford a 2-room flat. Those who earn $2,000 can buy 3-room flat. And those who earn S$4,000 can afford a 4-roomm flat if they use their CPF to pay off 25-year loan. We will give families who can afford 2-room flats Step-Up Housing Grants to help them upgrade to 3-room flats. We will also extend grants so that a middle-income household will get up to S$20,000 more if they buy a 4-room flat.”
8.26pm: “We will monitor housing affordability closely and make sure that an HDB flat is always within reach.”
According to the Straits Times reporting of the NDR speech (http://www.straitstimes.com/) – “The cheapest flat is $150,000.” Applause. But it is not a cheap flat, says the PM who is acting as a “housing agent” (but with no commission from Khaw Boon Wan, he quips.) He proceeds to show why it is a flat worth having.”
I also understand that it was said something along the lines that the poorest Singaporeans have an asset of $200,000 in an HDB flat.
What about those who can’t afford or not eligible for BTO?
The above seems to be referring only to Singaporeans who can afford or are eligible to buy new BTO flats. What about the hundreds of thousands of Singaporeans in HDB rental flats, Interim Housing Scheme HDB flats, homeless shelters, the homeless, renting a room or a HDB flat in the open market, etc?
HDB is great and compassionate?
In this connection, I would also like to refer to the article “HDB has not lost heart: Khaw (http://news.asiaone.com/news/singapore/hdb-has-not-lost-heart-khaw)” (Straits Times, Aug 16).
According to the publication “Housing Matters (http://mndsingapore.wordpress.com/2013/08/16/a-compassionate-housing-developer/)”:
http://www.tremeritus.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/l9.jpg
HDB houses 80% of all Singaporeans. It is the largest housing developer in Singapore. And a compassionate one too.
Whenever an unexpected family tragedy comes to our attention, HDB officers, together with the local grassroots leaders, will immediately visit the bereaved family to find out how we can be of help.
Our guiding principle is always “Compassion” and we will consider all practical options. Our hearts especially go out to victims of circumstances. Often, they involve young children.
For example, two years ago, a Singaporean man passed away suddenly while at work, leaving behind his non-Singaporean wife and 4 young Singapore children. The family had actually been looking forward to moving into their new Build-to-Order (BTO) flat in Choa Chu Kang, but their hopes were dashed with the freak accident. As the widow is a foreigner, the family was at risk of (a) having to move out of their rental flat, and (b) losing their BTO flat which the deceased had worked hard to buy.
HDB officers immediately reached out to them, exercised good judgement and worked out a comprehensive housing arrangement. The family got to keep their BTO flat application so that the young children would continue to have a roof over their heads and also live their late father’s dream of providing a home for his family. HDB went one step further and lowered their monthly rental fee so that the mother and children could find their feet and continue with their lives.
There was also a recent case where the flat owner and his wife had to stop working due to serious medical conditions which led to their defaulting on mortgage payments. HDB waived the minimum occupation period (MOP) and allowed the couple to sell off their flat and move in with their children. This had eased their financial burden and enabled them to focus on their medical treatment.
Last month, I came across another unfortunate case at my MPS. A couple had passed away suddenly, leaving their only child behind. The girl, in her teens, was still schooling and therefore financially incapable of keeping up with mortgage payments. HDB made a special exception, and deferred the mortgage payments until she starts working. She can thus focus on school and not worry about the mortgage payments.
This case also highlighted the need and the value of a mortgage-reducing insurance (MRI). Had the parents of this orphan subscribed to one, the MRI would have helped to pay off the outstanding loan and the girl would have been able to continue staying in the flat. Unfortunately, her parents did not take up such an insurance policy.
Currently, HDB flat owners using their CPF to service their housing loans are required to take up the Home Protection Scheme (HPS), or an equivalent MRI scheme. The HPS is inexpensive and starts from as little as $13 a month, for a 30-year loan of $250,000. There is no cash outlay as payment can be made using CPF. But some HDB flat owners do not subscribe to such insurance.
HDB will be as compassionate as it can to help victims of circumstances address their housing needs when tragedies strike. However, parents should also help their children and plan ahead. Buying an appropriate insurance is one good avenue.”
5,500 letters of appeal in 1 GRC?
In this connection, I would like to ask how many of the 5,500 letters of appeal written by MPs of Ang Mo Kio GRC to the HDB in one year (2012), were successful? (“5,500 letters of appeal on HDB in 2012 in 1 GRC? (http://leongszehian.com/?p=2670)“, Jan 17)
99,000 letters of appeal all GRCs?
With 5,500 letters of appeal on HDB in one year in just one GRC, how many letters of appeal were written for all the GRCs and SMCs? – About 99,000? (15 GRCs and 12 SMCs)
Successful appeals’ percentage?
What percentage of these were successful?
In addition to these letters of appeal from MPs, I believe there may be tens of thousands of appeals to the HDB, either in writing or orally, which did not go through the MPs.
So, what percentage of all appeals to the HDB were successful?
A “statistically” ‘Compassionate Housing Developer’?
Surely, disclosing the statistics will make Singaporeans even more proud of the HDB as “a Compassionate Housing Developer”.
BTO flat rescinded on death?
By the way, as to “As the widow is a foreigner, the family was at risk of (a) having to move out of their rental flat, and (b) losing their BTO flat which the deceased had worked hard to buy.
HDB officers immediately reached out to them, exercised good judgement and worked out a comprehensive housing arrangement. The family got to keep their BTO flat application so that the young children would continue to have a roof over their heads and also live their late father’s dream of providing a home for his family” – does this mean that even though a BTO flat has been purchased, it will normally be rescinded by the HDB if the Singaporean spouse dies, leaving behind a foreign spouse widow?
HDB rental flat eviction on death?
Also, does it mean that when the Singaporean spouse of a HDB rental flat dies, his foreign spouse will no longer be eligible to continue renting the HDB flat?
If so, why do we have such policies? (“HDB: 18 appeals and still homeless (http://leongszehian.com/?p=715)“, Jun 11, 2011)
Countless housing woes’ appeals?
In my volunteer work doing financial counseling for needy Singaporeans, I have come across thousands of cases over the last decade or so – of Singaporeans who made repeated appeals to the HDB over their housing woes to no avail.
(“Mother with 2 children homeless in 2 weeks? (http://leongszehian.com/?p=5385)“, Jul 6)
(“Daughter became homeless caring for disabled mother (http://leongszehian.com/?p=1897)“, Sep 25, 2012)
(“Housing woes of a single mother? (http://leongszehian.com/?p=1768)“, Aug 2, 2012)
(“Singaporean loses HDB flat, foreign wife runs away (Part 3) (http://leongszehian.com/?p=1640)“, Jun 8, 2012)
(“Homeless family lives in an office (http://leongszehian.com/?p=1627)“, May 31, 2012)
(“HDB: Why not so easy to downgrade (http://leongszehian.com/?p=811)“, Jun 28, 2011)
(“Homeless and Abandoned with Four Children (http://leongszehian.com/?p=778)“, Jun 21, 2011)
(“HDB downgrading and financial stress FAQ (http://leongszehian.com/?p=725)“, Jun 15, 2011)
(“HDB: $431,000 CPF – But homeless soon? (http://leongszehian.com/?p=703)“, Jun 19, 2011)
(“Divorced – and facing housing woes (http://leongszehian.com/?p=346)“, May 12, 2011)
With reference to Dr Ang Yong Guan’s facebook posting “Khaw quotes selectively an Economist article to run down (https://www.facebook.com/angyongguan23) users of FB” – since Dr Ang is a psychiatrist, perhaps selectivity may be a compulsive disorder.
Leong Sze Hian
Leong Sze Hian is the Past President of the Society of Financial Service Professionals, an alumnus of Harvard University, Wharton Fellow, SEACeM Fellow and an author of 4 books. He is frequently quoted in the media. He has also been invited to speak more than 100 times in 25 countries on 5 continents. He has served as Honorary Consul of Jamaica, Chairman of the Institute of Administrative Management, and founding advisor to the Financial Planning Associations of Brunei and Indonesia. He has 3 Masters, 2 Bachelors degrees and 13 professional qualifications. He blogs at http://www.leongszehian.com (http://www.leongszehian.com/).
Click here to view the whole thread at www.sammyboy.com (http://www.sammyboy.com/showthread.php?160359-Uncle-Leong-HDB-‘a-compassionate-housing-developer’-MY-FOOT!&goto=newpost).