NATIONAL Development Minister Mah Bow Tan yesterday addressed the issue of flat owners up in arms over the fact that new rental flats will be built in their neighbourhoods.

Appealing for their understanding, he said: ‘In land-scarce Singapore, give and take is often necessary to make space for the different groups in our society.’

He was replying to Madam Ho Geok Choo (West Coast GRC) during the debate on his ministry’s budget estimates.

She brought up residents’ grievances that they had not been consulted about the move to build rental flats in their neighbourhoods.

Mr Mah said residents were informed of construction works before these started.

‘As far as possible, HDB will minimise blockage and inconvenience from the rental blocks. As for concerns about resale prices, HDB’s data suggests that rental blocks alone do not affect prices,’ he added.

Responding to demand from Singaporeans, the Housing Board recently decided to build 7,000 more rental flats in various parts of Singapore over the next three years.

This will increase the supply of rental flats to 50,000 units.

Combined with changes to eligibility rules, the increased supply will halve waiting time for such flats – from 21 months a year ago to 12 months now.

This way, the Government ensures that the truly needy get rental flats faster, Mr Mah noted in response to Mr Teo Ser Luck (Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC) and Madam Ho.

Mr Teo recounted the story of a couple with two young children – aged two and four – who appealed to him for help. They lived in a room in a friend’s house, but because their friend needed the room back, they ‘were extremely anxious and helpless’ while waiting for a rental flat to be allocated to them.

Said Mr Teo, who is also Senior Parliamentary Secretary at the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports: ‘Time is of the essence… While they are waiting, they can’t afford to live anywhere else, (so) they end up living outdoors.’

Mr Mah assured MPs that the HDB ‘has a heart’ and will help those in genuine need.

But he also pointed out: ‘The problem is that sometimes people take advantage of HDB’s kindness.’

He cited the case of a resident who did not pay his loan instalments for three years, resulting in the HDB having to acquire the flat back from him.

‘There is a limit to compassion. Decisive action is needed to prevent households from spiralling further into debt, but HDB will always ensure that they have viable housing options,’ said Mr Mah.

Source: Straits Times, 6 Mar 2010