RE-HOUSING IN ALBERT STREET S.I.T. FLATS (Dissatisfaction over accommodation offered, and suggested policy change)

Dissatisfaction over accommodation offered, and suggested policy change

Mr Lim Koon Teck asked the Minister for Local Government, Lands and Housing whether he is aware that the residents of the Selegie Road/Short Street area who have to move to the alternative accommodation offered them in the Albert Street S.I.T. Flats are dissatisfied with the inadequate accommodation offered, viz., one bedroom and one sitting-room for a family of three to ten persons; and whether in view thereof he will consider, as a matter of re-housing policy, that provision be made in the Improvement Schemes for each dishoused family of five to ten persons to be given a fiat consisting of two bedrooms and one sitting-room.

Inche Abdul Hamid Bin Haji Jumat: Mr Speaker, Sir, similar representations have been made by the hon. Member for Stamford. I understand from the Singapore Improvement Trust that all families in the Short Street/Selegie Road area are being offered accommodation of the basic two-roomed (i.e. one bedroom and one sitting-room) fiats at a specially reduced and heavily subsidised rental of $30 a month. If the families wish to have and are able to afford larger accommodation, they will be considered for transfer to such accommodation when they become available.

Mr Lim Koon Teck: Can the Hon. Minister for Local Government, Lands and Housing give any indication whether any such accommodation will be available in the next four years, taking into consideration the fact that the S.I.T. has only built 1,000 houses in the last 18 months instead of 6,000 as expected?

Inche Abdul Hamid: Mr Speaker, Sir, I cannot prophesy but we are trying to do our best.