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https://www.straitstimes.com/forum/letters-in-print/flexibility-needed-for-minority-race-flat-owners
Flexibility needed for minority-race flat owners
Published
Sep 7, 2018, 5:00 am SGT
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The Housing Board's Ethnic Integration Policy has been a good way to ensure diversity in heartland estates and prevent the formation of ethnic enclaves.
However, as HDB estates mature, minority-race flat owners, such as Indians and Malays, will find it difficult to find another Indian or Malay buyer.
The critical mass of this small group of potential buyers is just not there.
In Bishan, for example, some HDB flats are already 30 years old and minority-race owners are finding it difficult to find eligible buyers unless the property goes for a song.
I know of a minority-race owner of a flat in Bishan who has tried to sell the property for a very long time without success. The bank finally took over the flat and put it up for auction recently. There was no bidder. Now it is back in the market again with an agent to find a minority-race buyer.
If the apartment is not sold, the owner could become bankrupt if he is unable to meet his financial needs or downgrade.
I have also heard of a couple in their 70s who have been unable to sell their flat for money they need to pay their medical bills and other expenses.
HDB needs to look into this matter, especially if the flats are more than 20 years old.
More flexibility should be allowed so that people from minority races who own HDB flats older than 25 years can sell themto buyers of any race.
Or they should be allowed to sell their flat to HDB after an independent market valuation. HDB can then sell the flat to another minority-race buyer.
J. M. Daniel (Ms)
https://www.straitstimes.com/forum/...o-look-at-plight-of-minority-race-flat-owners
HDB needs to look at plight of minority-race flat owners
Published
Sep 14, 2018, 3:08 pm SGT
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I would like to highlight the situation I am in because of the Housing Board's Ethnic Integration Policy (Flexibility needed for minority-race flat owners, Sept 7).
I have been staying in my five-room executive maisonette flat for more than 30 years.
My children have all moved out and my wife and I have been trying unsuccessfully to sell this flat for over a year.
We are both in our early 70s and not only are we having difficulty maintaining the large flat, we also struggle to climb the stairs to get to the upper rooms. We value our privacy so leasing our spare rooms is not an option.
We see downgrading to a smaller unit as the solution as it would allow us to use whatever balance we get for our medical and other expenses.
I would like to appeal to HDB to look into our case and into those who are in a similar situation as ours, and come to an amicable solution so that individuals like us can age gracefully without being a burden to our children or the state.
William Gomez
Flexibility needed for minority-race flat owners
Published
Sep 7, 2018, 5:00 am SGT
Facebook Twitter WhatsApp Email
The Housing Board's Ethnic Integration Policy has been a good way to ensure diversity in heartland estates and prevent the formation of ethnic enclaves.
However, as HDB estates mature, minority-race flat owners, such as Indians and Malays, will find it difficult to find another Indian or Malay buyer.
The critical mass of this small group of potential buyers is just not there.
In Bishan, for example, some HDB flats are already 30 years old and minority-race owners are finding it difficult to find eligible buyers unless the property goes for a song.
I know of a minority-race owner of a flat in Bishan who has tried to sell the property for a very long time without success. The bank finally took over the flat and put it up for auction recently. There was no bidder. Now it is back in the market again with an agent to find a minority-race buyer.
If the apartment is not sold, the owner could become bankrupt if he is unable to meet his financial needs or downgrade.
I have also heard of a couple in their 70s who have been unable to sell their flat for money they need to pay their medical bills and other expenses.
HDB needs to look into this matter, especially if the flats are more than 20 years old.
More flexibility should be allowed so that people from minority races who own HDB flats older than 25 years can sell themto buyers of any race.
Or they should be allowed to sell their flat to HDB after an independent market valuation. HDB can then sell the flat to another minority-race buyer.
J. M. Daniel (Ms)
https://www.straitstimes.com/forum/...o-look-at-plight-of-minority-race-flat-owners
HDB needs to look at plight of minority-race flat owners
Published
Sep 14, 2018, 3:08 pm SGT
Facebook Twitter WhatsApp Email
I would like to highlight the situation I am in because of the Housing Board's Ethnic Integration Policy (Flexibility needed for minority-race flat owners, Sept 7).
I have been staying in my five-room executive maisonette flat for more than 30 years.
My children have all moved out and my wife and I have been trying unsuccessfully to sell this flat for over a year.
We are both in our early 70s and not only are we having difficulty maintaining the large flat, we also struggle to climb the stairs to get to the upper rooms. We value our privacy so leasing our spare rooms is not an option.
We see downgrading to a smaller unit as the solution as it would allow us to use whatever balance we get for our medical and other expenses.
I would like to appeal to HDB to look into our case and into those who are in a similar situation as ours, and come to an amicable solution so that individuals like us can age gracefully without being a burden to our children or the state.
William Gomez