In the report “Substantial improvement seen in public housing affordability” (March 11), the National Development Minister stated: “So when we said families with S$1,000 household income could afford two-room flats, we were not imagining things.”
Next, we learnt that former home owners who had to sell their public flats and rent highly subsidised ones have risen from 52 per cent of applicants five years ago to 59 per cent. (“Former home owners applying for rental flats a ‘worrying trend’”; March 12)
While it is heartening that low-income families can afford to buy a home, it is a concern that some appear unable to hold on to them.
We do not know if these families had to cash out to meet expenses or if they could not afford to make regular mortgage payments. Whatever the case, the wait for a subsidised rental flat can be up to two years, adding extra stress on these families.
I hope the authorities address the root problems of why ex-owners become renters and why those who qualify for a temporary roof over their heads have such a long wait. Public housing, after all, is partly there for the vulnerable.
Next, we learnt that former home owners who had to sell their public flats and rent highly subsidised ones have risen from 52 per cent of applicants five years ago to 59 per cent. (“Former home owners applying for rental flats a ‘worrying trend’”; March 12)
While it is heartening that low-income families can afford to buy a home, it is a concern that some appear unable to hold on to them.
We do not know if these families had to cash out to meet expenses or if they could not afford to make regular mortgage payments. Whatever the case, the wait for a subsidised rental flat can be up to two years, adding extra stress on these families.
I hope the authorities address the root problems of why ex-owners become renters and why those who qualify for a temporary roof over their heads have such a long wait. Public housing, after all, is partly there for the vulnerable.
