RELOCATION OF 1- and 2-ROOM HDB TENANTS

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Dr S. Vasoo asked the Minister for National Development (a) if he will give the number of residents already relocated from 1-room and 2-room flats affected by the Housing and Development Board's relocation exercise, as at the latest convenient date; (b) what steps are being taken to assist residents who cannot be relocated from these flats; and (c) whether adequate 1-room and 2-room HDB flats will be retained for future need.

The Minister for National Development (Mr S. Dhanabalan): Mr Speaker, Sir, 23,701 tenanted rental units were affected when the relocation exercise commenced. By 1 January 1989, tenants in 23,254 units (or 98% of the total) had been relocated.

The remaining 447 cases are being offered rental flats in the same or nearby estates. HDB will give them priority if they intend to purchase flats.

The HDB will retain an adequate number of 1-room and 2-room rental flats for those who require transitional housing or the few who are unable to purchase their own flats.

Dr S. Vasoo (Tiong Bahru GRC): Sir, could some attention be paid to giving a face-lift and improving these flats before the town council takes over?

Mr Dhanabalan: Mr Speaker, Sir, I do not know what the Member means by "these flats". Does he mean the flats affected by relocation?

Dr Vasoo: I mean those 1- and 2-room flats not affected by relocation.

Mr Dhanabalan: Mr Speaker, Sir, where the flats are to be cleared and demolished, I see no purpose in giving them a face-lift. But those that are going to be retained will be given the usual face-lift in accordance with the cyclical repairs.

Dr Lee Siew-Choh (Non-Constituency Member): Can the Minister tell us whether residents have been forced to get out of their flats?

Mr Dhanabalan: Mr Speaker, Sir, once a block has been identified for re-location and everybody who is in that block is given notice to move, they can move to another rental flat or they can purchase another flat. If they want to purchase another flat, of course as I mentioned, they will have priority. In addition, they will be able to purchase a flat without having to make any downpayment. They will get 100% loan for the purchase of a flat provided it is not bigger than a 4-room flat. So every assistance is given for them to move. But they have to move because the block cannot be demolished and the place cannot be redeveloped if it is occupied.