INTERIM RENTAL HOUSING SCHEME

INTERIM RENTAL HOUSING SCHEME

12.

Dr Lam Pin Min asked the Minister for National Development (a) if he will provide an update on the interim rental housing scheme since its introduction in 2009; (b) what is the demand from Singaporeans and how has this demand been met so far; and (c) whether the restriction of having to share the flat with another family can be waived in cases where the tenant's family size is large.

Mr Mah Bow Tan: Interim Rental Housing (IRH) was introduced in January 2009 to help citizen families in financial hardship and need temporary accommodation while they work out or wait for more permanent housing solutions. HDB appointed Operator of the IRH scheme manages the IRH flats and let them out on a sharing basis. Tenants pay below market rates, at about $300 to $400 monthly for a room, including utilities and service and conservancy charges.

As of 31st October 2010, about 1,318 families have benefited from this scheme. Of these, 311 families have since moved out of their IRH flats.

In the IRH scheme, two families are required to share one 3-room flat. Such an arrangement is necessary to keep rents low for these families in financial difficulty. The Operator will ensure that families sharing an IRH flat are suitably matched.

In cases where the family size is large, the Operator may exercise the flexibility to rent them an entire 2-room flat, or two rooms in a 4-room flat, where available.

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