HOUSING SCHEME FOR POOR FAMILIES

Mr Lim Cher Kheng asked the Minister for Local Government, Lands and Housing whether he will consider implementing a new housing scheme to house those poor families who can only afford to pay a maximum monthly rental of $15.

Inche Abdul Hamid Bin Haji Jumat: If the Member for Changi has any practicable suggestions for a scheme to house poor families who cannot afford more than $15 a month, I shall be only too delighted to give such suggestions my very careful consideration.

The problem of reducing rents to meet the housing needs of the lowest income group is one that constantly engages the attention of my Ministry and of the Government as a whole. It would, however, be extremely difficult, indeed impossible, if we are not to increase greatly the subsidy for public housing, and if we are to build permanent housing in accordance with present standards of convenience, amenity and supervision, to bring rents down to anything like $15 per month.