TAKE-UP RATE OF INTERIM RENTAL HOUSING SCHEME

TAKE-UP RATE OF INTERIM RENTAL HOUSING SCHEME

2.

Mdm Halimah Yacob asked the Minister for National Development (a) in 2008, what is the takeup rate for the interim rental housing scheme that is provided to those without homes; (b) what are the reasons given for rejections under this scheme; (c) whether the rental rates were affordable; and (d) how many applicants had rejected the rental flats because they had to share with other families that they find unsuitable or incompatible.

Mr Mah Bow Tan: As I announced during the Committee of Supply debate last year, HDB has an arrangement to refer deserving cases to its managing agents, for temporary rental of a room at below market rate. As at 31st October 2009, HDB has referred 809 households for such interim rental housing. 251 of them have taken up the offer while 256 have rejected it. The remaining households are still considering the option.

Of the households who rejected the offer of interim rental housing, about a third were adverse to the idea of flat sharing and would rather find their own accommodation. Even though flat sharing may be inconvenient, such an arrangement is essential for keeping costs low for these households in financial difficulty. For those who are willing to share a flat, the managing agent will ensure that they are matched with a suitable family.

For the rest of the households who rejected the offer, most had either found alternative accommodation or were unsatisfied with the location of the offered room.

The managing agents are charging about $300 to $400 a room, inclusive of utilities and service/conservancy charges, which is below the market rate for such flats.

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