HDB RELOCATION SCHEME (Particulars)

Mr Chng Hee Kok asked the Minister for National Development if the Housing and Development Board will give the number of flats affected by the relocation scheme and the target date by which the exercise will be completed.

Dr S. Vasoo asked the Minister for National Development (a) how many families have taken up flats under the Housing and Development Board's relocation scheme as at the latest date; (b) what types of flats have families affected by relocation applied for; and (c) what other actions, besides payment of compensation, are being undertaken by the HDB to minimise the difficulties facing households affected by relocation.

The Minister for National Development (Mr S. Dhanabalan): Mr Speaker, Sir, since Questions 3 and 4 deal with the same subject, may I have your permission to deal with them together?

Mr Speaker: Yes.

Mr Dhanabalan: Sir, the HDB Relocation Programme is planned to be carried out in phases. About 20,000 tenants in 357 blocks are affected under the first phase of the exercise. The target date for the completion of this phase is the last quarter of 1988. The other phases are under review to take into account the experience gained in the current exercise.

As at 30th September 1987, 20,363 tenants had registered for alternative accommodation under the Relocation Programme. Of these, 10,624 (52%) opted for alternative rental flats and 9,739 (48%) opted to buy flats. So far, 12,216 have already accepted alternative accommodation comprising 6,226 who accepted rental flats and 5,990 who accepted home ownership flats.

In addition to the payment of removal allowance for those who cannot afford to buy flats, the HDB will try to rehouse them in rental flats either within the neighbourhood or in adjoining estates wherever this is possible. This should help to minimize the difficulties faced by such tenants.

Mr Chiam See Tong (Potong Pasir): Mr Speaker, Sir, how much is the removal allowance which the HDB is paying now?

Mr Dhanabalan: Sir, speaking from memory, I think it is $500 and $1,000.

Mr Chng Hee Kok (Radin Mas): Sir, will the Minister explain what is the action contemplated by the HDB on those tenants who still remain towards the end of the target date?

Mr Dhanabalan: Sir, the intention is to clear all these blocks and they have been given notice. They will be persuaded to move out to other flats, either rental flats or persuaded to buy flats. The same procedure will be adopted as and when we clear any area. If necessary, they will be physically removed.

Dr S. Vasoo (Bo Wen): Sir, could the Minister relocate old people and old couples within the same neighbourhood and not to other neighbourhoods which would cause problems to them?

Mr Dhanabalan: Mr Speaker, Sir, this is a group that we pay particular attention to, the old people, two single people sharing a flat and other similar cases. We give them special attention and we try and rehouse them as far as possible in the same neighbourhood or very near their present abode.