Er. Dr. Lee Bee Wah’s speech during the debates on MND’s Budget
All of us want to have a roof over our heads. I am sure our Government remains committed to aiding low-income and vulnerable households to achieve this.
(a) Faster allocation of rental flats
Some families could not afford to own their flat due to some difficulties. So, they have to take a public rental flat. I would like to ask for faster allocation of rental flats for those with young children or aged parents.
(b) Second chance of buying a flat
Some families may have previously owned a flat, but they encountered difficulties such as the loss of a loved one or
unemployment, sold it and ended up in public rental housing.
As second-timers, they find it hard to afford another HDB flat because they no longer qualify for housing grants which are mostly given to first-timers.
I think for those who pick themselves up, work hard and are determined to give security to themselves and their family, the Fresh Start Housing Scheme will certainly make their dream of owning their home a reality.
(c)Divorcees with children
I sympathise a lot with divorcees with children. Having to go through divorce is already very painful. What’s more if they have to shift out of their matrimonial home? Without a roof over their head, they will have difficulty in deciding which school to send their children to. So, single parents are particularly stressed in such situations because they are often the sole breadwinner and caregiver of their children. Can special priority be given to those divorcees with children or those in the process of going through a divorce to get a flat?
Administrative red-tape only contributes further to their predicament. Are we able to expedite the approval process?
(d) Singles scheme
I know many singles who have applied many times for a flat, but are still unsuccessful. Can the Ministry build more 2-room flats for singles so that they can get their flats faster? What is the current building plan for this category?