HDB/HUDC FLATS (Priority in allocation)

Mr Chiam See Tong asked the Minister for National Development to what categories of persons the Housing and Development Board gives priority in the allocation of flats, including the flats which were taken over from the HUDC either for rental or for purchase.

The Minister for National Development (Mr Teh Cheang Wan): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Housing and Development Board gives priority in the allocation of flats mainly to families affected by resettlement. These families are given priority for rehousing because they are being uprooted to make way for public development. In the last three years, 11.86% of the flats offered for sale have been allocated to such families on priority.

The second category which is given priority consists of applicants under the multi-tier family scheme. Members of such families are given priority if they apply jointly for the same flat or for adjacent flats. This is in line with the Government's objective of encouraging families to stay together. In the last three years, 8.29% of the flats offered for sale have been allocated to this category.

The last category to which HDB gives priority consists of persons who have contributed significantly to the security and social well-being of the community. This includes --

Mr Jeyaretnam: PAP!

Mr Teh Cheang Wan: -- Armed Forces and Police personnel, staff of the HDB and members of grassroots organizations. They are given priority in HDB housing so that they are better able to serve the estates they live in. In the last three years, 6.96% of the flats offered for sale have been allocated to this category.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Mr Speaker, Sir, this last category of persons who have contributed to the security and social well-being of the State, in what order of priority would they be given - Armed Forces, Police personnel, staff of HDB and grassroots organizations, as the Minister has mentioned? Are they on the same priority scale, or is there a difference?

Mr Teh Cheang Wan: Mr Speaker, Sir, they are given the same priority.

Mr Chiam See Tong: As regards the grassroots organizations, can the Minister please tell this House what type of grassroots organizations he has in mind?

Mr Teh Cheang Wan: Mr Speaker, Sir, the grassroots organizations include members of the Citizens' Consultative Committee, members of Community Centres' Management Committees, members of Youth Executive Committee, members of the Women Sub-Committee and the Residents' Committee.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Is it not true that most of the members of these so-called grassroots organizations are appointed by the PAP?

Mr Teh Cheang Wan: Mr Speaker, Sir, it is not true. The PAP does not decide on the priority. In fact, the PAP has nothing to do with the allocation or the priority.