Smaller flats have not lowered quality of life: HDB CEO
Nov 11, 2011
SINGAPORE - The shrinking size of public flats here has not lowered Singaporeans' quality of living, according to Housing and Development Board's (HDB) CEO Cheong Koon Hean.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a housing forum yesterday, Dr Cheong noted that there are now fewer people living in one flat which works out to increased living space per person.
"Our families are smaller. In the old days, we have very large families living in a flat. Today, the family is two, three, four (people)," she said.
As a result of rising land costs and the need to keep flats affordable, the size of HDB flats has shrunk by 5 to 10 per cent over the last two to three decades. For example, a five-room flat in Bukit Batok Central built in 1989 has a floor area of 121 sq m, compared to 110 sq m for a similar unit built in 2003.
Based on official surveys, the average household size was 3.5 last year. In 1980, it was 4.9.
This means an occupant of a 110 sq m five-room flat today will have 31 sq m of space, while a resident of a 121 sq m five-room flat in the '80s had about 25 sq m of space. Dr Cheong added that interior design also plays a part in creating good living space.
"In many global cities of the world or big cities, people do pay attention to how they do the inside of the flat as well as optimising the use of furniture and storage. It can be a very comfortable living environment," she said.
PropNex chief executive Mohamed Ismail concurred with Dr Cheong: "The modern Singapore family is much smaller and living in a bigger place compared to previous generations, and with amenities. The quality of life is not affected."
Mr Ismail added: "And people have a choice to buy three, four or five-room flats."
Still, Mr Ismail noted that with the high property prices, the lower income with many children will be most affected as they have "no choice but to buy within their means, and that means a smaller flat".
Size matters
Suntec Chesterton International head of research and consultancy Colin Tan disagreed with the suggestion that the smaller flat sizes have not compromised the quality of living.
Mr Tan pointed out that today's modern family needs "at least" a three-bedroom flat with one room for the domestic help or the in-laws.
"And when the children grow up, families will want separate rooms for daughters and sons," Mr Tan said.
Mr Tan noted that unlike the private sector, the HDB does not reduce the size of the kitchen. Instead, it builds smaller bedrooms and this is where Mr Tan believes has the "biggest impact" on the quality of life.
He also argued that Singaporeans, who have become more affluent, have a greater number of possessions which require space. Said Mr Tan: "People who have lived in bigger flats will feel that their quality of life has gone down."
Some flat owners pointed out that it is the size of the unit that affects a couple's decision on the number of children to have. Ms Priscilla Raj, 28, who lives in a five-room Build-To-Order flat, said she was not satisfied with the size of her flat, which might deter her from having more children.
The mother of one said: "(The size) will affect your quality of life - there's no space to have your in-laws or friends to stay over. The cramp makes you feel that you're living in a cell."
Bravo Cheong Koon Hean, you made yourself sound like an idiot on public media trying to justify your organisation greed by building smaller flats while selling them at record prices.
First of all I bet this Koon Hean doesn’t even live in HDB nor she has many friends living in one of her product.
Here is like having someone who eat shark fin everyday telling the person who drink tap water it is good enough to have water as long time ago people dink from the drains.
This again highlighted the poor quality of leadership in government stats boards who are appointed without knowing the needs and hardships of average Singaporean. (Remember the SMRT CEO?)
How will you expect these Elites to do a good job providing the needs of the peasants?
They do not use the product the sell and they are out to maximise profit for their company.
Now we know they are quite stupid as well as they try to tell us how good HDB flats and SMRT are.
"Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt."
Showing posts with label HDB. Show all posts
Showing posts with label HDB. Show all posts
Friday, November 11, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
We screwed up so give us 3-5 years where we show result just before the election.
Years to correct supply-demand imbalance for HDB flats: Khaw
24 July 2011
SINGAPORE: National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan said it will take 3 to 5 years to "substantively resolve" the problem of high resale flat prices and for prices to stabilise.
He said there is currently an imbalance between supply and demand - and new Build-To-Order (BTO) flats take three years to build.
Mr Khaw said this in response to questions from reporters on the sidelines of a community event on Sunday.
He also expressed confidence that resale flat prices will stabilise but stressed that the problem of high prices cannot be solved overnight. He urged Singaporeans to be patient.
On Friday, figures from the HDB showed prices rising by 3.1 per cent in the second quarter of this year, nearly twice the previous quarter's 1.6 per cent.
"Why do prices go up? It's very simple, because there's an imbalance in supply and demand. Supply means... build more. (But) you won't see the flat until three years later. New housing plans will have effect on the resale market. So the more I push out, I'm sure there's some influence," said Mr Khaw.
On the demand side, Mr Khaw advised young couples who have a place to stay in currently, not to get too excited and jump into the resale market. Instead, they should continue to apply for a BTO flat. He also urged upgraders who already own a flat to hold off on their plans, so as not to crowd the market.
Mr Khaw added that the property cooling measures implemented by the government have reduced unnecessary demand stemming from speculation.
Mr Khaw also explained why the HDB stopped releasing the median Cash-Over-Valuation (COV). The minister said the figure is "misleading" and cannot be used to judge if COV has gone up or come down.
He added that the median figure is dependent on the house type and location of flats that are sold, which can change from month to month.
Instead, the HDB will continue to offer a breakdown of COV according to location and house type, which Mr Khaw said, is the information Singaporeans need when they decide on whether to buy a home.
The golden question is why is there such imbalance now?
The answer is simple, it was done purposely to inflate the price so the government can maximised the profit.
Remember the ex-Minister for National Development who keep telling Singaporean we have enough flats?
Also the influx of Foreigner also adds on to the problem.
Then shouldn’t the million dollar Men In White do a simple math that if you keep increasing the population and not building enough flats you will have a shortage like now?
Well guess they did but were bochap but now they start to chap because they lost a few seats in the last election.
So this is a case of the Men In Whites putting themselves first before you and me as I am pretty sure they know the number of flats there will be in 2010 but as I’ve mentioned they just want to sell it at a higher price.
But they failed to realised that Singaporean will get impatient and shown their un-happiness in votes.
So Minister Khaw is tasked to be Mr Nice guy to clean up after the horse which screwed up but still taking his pension and $16,000 per month of tax payers money.
Good life indeed.
24 July 2011
SINGAPORE: National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan said it will take 3 to 5 years to "substantively resolve" the problem of high resale flat prices and for prices to stabilise.
He said there is currently an imbalance between supply and demand - and new Build-To-Order (BTO) flats take three years to build.
Mr Khaw said this in response to questions from reporters on the sidelines of a community event on Sunday.
He also expressed confidence that resale flat prices will stabilise but stressed that the problem of high prices cannot be solved overnight. He urged Singaporeans to be patient.
On Friday, figures from the HDB showed prices rising by 3.1 per cent in the second quarter of this year, nearly twice the previous quarter's 1.6 per cent.
"Why do prices go up? It's very simple, because there's an imbalance in supply and demand. Supply means... build more. (But) you won't see the flat until three years later. New housing plans will have effect on the resale market. So the more I push out, I'm sure there's some influence," said Mr Khaw.
On the demand side, Mr Khaw advised young couples who have a place to stay in currently, not to get too excited and jump into the resale market. Instead, they should continue to apply for a BTO flat. He also urged upgraders who already own a flat to hold off on their plans, so as not to crowd the market.
Mr Khaw added that the property cooling measures implemented by the government have reduced unnecessary demand stemming from speculation.
Mr Khaw also explained why the HDB stopped releasing the median Cash-Over-Valuation (COV). The minister said the figure is "misleading" and cannot be used to judge if COV has gone up or come down.
He added that the median figure is dependent on the house type and location of flats that are sold, which can change from month to month.
Instead, the HDB will continue to offer a breakdown of COV according to location and house type, which Mr Khaw said, is the information Singaporeans need when they decide on whether to buy a home.
The golden question is why is there such imbalance now?
The answer is simple, it was done purposely to inflate the price so the government can maximised the profit.
Remember the ex-Minister for National Development who keep telling Singaporean we have enough flats?
Also the influx of Foreigner also adds on to the problem.
Then shouldn’t the million dollar Men In White do a simple math that if you keep increasing the population and not building enough flats you will have a shortage like now?
Well guess they did but were bochap but now they start to chap because they lost a few seats in the last election.
So this is a case of the Men In Whites putting themselves first before you and me as I am pretty sure they know the number of flats there will be in 2010 but as I’ve mentioned they just want to sell it at a higher price.
But they failed to realised that Singaporean will get impatient and shown their un-happiness in votes.
So Minister Khaw is tasked to be Mr Nice guy to clean up after the horse which screwed up but still taking his pension and $16,000 per month of tax payers money.
Good life indeed.
Tuesday, August 03, 2010
More fantastic idea from the brilliant Elite
Night parking fee up
Price to double to $4; first increase in 21 years
Today Online Aug 03, 2010
SINGAPORE - The car population has outpaced the supply of parking spaces to the point that night parking charges are now going up, 21 years after the last increase.
From Nov 1, non-resident motorists and visitors at public housing and Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) car parks will pay double for overnight parking: From $2 to $4.
In 1989, the increase was from $1.50 to $2.
While the 34-year-old scheme was implemented in car parks where there were sufficient lots to meet season parking needs, "most" of these car parks are so "heavily utilised" that residents with season parking tickets face "difficulties" finding a spot at night, the Housing and Development Board and URA said yesterday.
The higher charge will "better manage the parking demand" and "safeguard the interests" of season parking ticket holders, the two statutory boards added.
The half-hourly night parking charge of 50 cents will remain, though.
The new $4 night parking coupons will be on sale from Oct 15.
Motorists can continue to use the $2 night parking coupons by displaying two such coupons.
Some Members of Parliament wondered if the latest measure is enough.
Ang Mo Kio GRC MP Lee Bee Wah, who receives one complaint a week from residents facing parking difficulties, pointed out that the non-resident group is not sizeable. And while the spike in overnight parking charges "may deter some non-residents from parking", the overall number of cars - and the supply of parking lots - remain unchanged, Ms Lee noted.
Jurong GRC MP Halimah Yacob reiterated that the problem requires "proper planning, a strategy of how to ensure there's enough parking places in Singapore. And that kind of planning is not only confined to just HDB, it has to be planning on the part of the Ministry of Transport as well".
On its part, HDB is planning to add 5,000 more parking spaces in the next three years….
This is actually a really dumb “solution”. It did not solve any problem at all.
The problem of shortage of car park will not simply disappear if you increase the cost. If it does, the fare increase in 1989 would have solve this problem.
The only winner out of this fare hike is URA. They has the opportunity to generate more income.
The fact is there is a shortage of car park. The question is why?
How many percent of a car park lots are being issued to season parking holder? Did HDB/URA issued more season parking (to earn more) and therefore causing these season parking holder unable to find a parking lots?
For example out of 100 lots avail. Does HDB keep 50 lots for season holder or 90 lots?
A simple solution is to increase the percentage of lots reserved for season parking holder. This is fair as they are resident of the area and is paying a monthly fee. They should be guaranteed a parking space.
And of cause a long time solution is to build more parking lots.
What they are trying to do now is what I call the ostrich mentality. “There is no problem if you don’t see any problem” By burying you head in the ground.
Price to double to $4; first increase in 21 years
Today Online Aug 03, 2010
SINGAPORE - The car population has outpaced the supply of parking spaces to the point that night parking charges are now going up, 21 years after the last increase.
From Nov 1, non-resident motorists and visitors at public housing and Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) car parks will pay double for overnight parking: From $2 to $4.
In 1989, the increase was from $1.50 to $2.
While the 34-year-old scheme was implemented in car parks where there were sufficient lots to meet season parking needs, "most" of these car parks are so "heavily utilised" that residents with season parking tickets face "difficulties" finding a spot at night, the Housing and Development Board and URA said yesterday.
The higher charge will "better manage the parking demand" and "safeguard the interests" of season parking ticket holders, the two statutory boards added.
The half-hourly night parking charge of 50 cents will remain, though.
The new $4 night parking coupons will be on sale from Oct 15.
Motorists can continue to use the $2 night parking coupons by displaying two such coupons.
Some Members of Parliament wondered if the latest measure is enough.
Ang Mo Kio GRC MP Lee Bee Wah, who receives one complaint a week from residents facing parking difficulties, pointed out that the non-resident group is not sizeable. And while the spike in overnight parking charges "may deter some non-residents from parking", the overall number of cars - and the supply of parking lots - remain unchanged, Ms Lee noted.
Jurong GRC MP Halimah Yacob reiterated that the problem requires "proper planning, a strategy of how to ensure there's enough parking places in Singapore. And that kind of planning is not only confined to just HDB, it has to be planning on the part of the Ministry of Transport as well".
On its part, HDB is planning to add 5,000 more parking spaces in the next three years….
This is actually a really dumb “solution”. It did not solve any problem at all.
The problem of shortage of car park will not simply disappear if you increase the cost. If it does, the fare increase in 1989 would have solve this problem.
The only winner out of this fare hike is URA. They has the opportunity to generate more income.
The fact is there is a shortage of car park. The question is why?
How many percent of a car park lots are being issued to season parking holder? Did HDB/URA issued more season parking (to earn more) and therefore causing these season parking holder unable to find a parking lots?
For example out of 100 lots avail. Does HDB keep 50 lots for season holder or 90 lots?
A simple solution is to increase the percentage of lots reserved for season parking holder. This is fair as they are resident of the area and is paying a monthly fee. They should be guaranteed a parking space.
And of cause a long time solution is to build more parking lots.
What they are trying to do now is what I call the ostrich mentality. “There is no problem if you don’t see any problem” By burying you head in the ground.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Step by Step instructions
Good Neighbour Award", "HDB Guidebook" launched to promote harmonious HDB living
27 April 2009
SINGAPORE: With Singapore becoming more populated, there is an increasing need to make living in HDB flats more enjoyable.
For most HDB residents, loud music is a nuisance. But sometimes telling your neighbour off can be difficult.
In fact, some MPs - who are also advisers to the Workgroup on "Promoting Better Social Behaviour" - have noticed reduced communication between residents.
To deal with those who deliberately disrupt the peace, a new penalty framework will be implemented in the third quarter of 2009. Details such as demerit points and fines are being worked out.
Grace Fu, Senior Minister of State for Education and National Development, said: "We need to have something that probably would make people think twice before they continue with the behaviour. So that is the reason why we suggested some sort of a moderate penalty system."
And to encourage neighbourly relations, HDB has come out with the "Good Neighbour Award" and "HDB Guidebook".
Nominations for the "Good Neighbour Award" will open from May 1 to August 31 in all 81 constituencies.
Come end-May, some 800,000 households living in HDB flats islandwide can find a copy of the "HDB Guidebook" in their mailboxes.
Another 100,000 copies will be given out to potential flat buyers when they apply for a flat at the HDB Hub.
Channel NewsAsia understands that a majority of the 680 cases handled last year by the Community Mediation Centre were on neighbourly disputes. The Centre handles an average of 600 cases annually. - CNA/ir
I don’t know about you, but I think its kinda sad that we have to resolve to a HDB’s Guidebook to tell you how to be a good neighbour.
Maybe we has already been brainwashed by the gahment for so many years or maybe our brains had been fried by our education that we can only follow step by step guides to become a good neighbour.
This is yet another prove that social graciousness is long gone in Singapore society.
PS: Wonder how much does it cost to print all these Guildbooks.
27 April 2009
SINGAPORE: With Singapore becoming more populated, there is an increasing need to make living in HDB flats more enjoyable.
For most HDB residents, loud music is a nuisance. But sometimes telling your neighbour off can be difficult.
In fact, some MPs - who are also advisers to the Workgroup on "Promoting Better Social Behaviour" - have noticed reduced communication between residents.
To deal with those who deliberately disrupt the peace, a new penalty framework will be implemented in the third quarter of 2009. Details such as demerit points and fines are being worked out.
Grace Fu, Senior Minister of State for Education and National Development, said: "We need to have something that probably would make people think twice before they continue with the behaviour. So that is the reason why we suggested some sort of a moderate penalty system."
And to encourage neighbourly relations, HDB has come out with the "Good Neighbour Award" and "HDB Guidebook".
Nominations for the "Good Neighbour Award" will open from May 1 to August 31 in all 81 constituencies.
Come end-May, some 800,000 households living in HDB flats islandwide can find a copy of the "HDB Guidebook" in their mailboxes.
Another 100,000 copies will be given out to potential flat buyers when they apply for a flat at the HDB Hub.
Channel NewsAsia understands that a majority of the 680 cases handled last year by the Community Mediation Centre were on neighbourly disputes. The Centre handles an average of 600 cases annually. - CNA/ir
I don’t know about you, but I think its kinda sad that we have to resolve to a HDB’s Guidebook to tell you how to be a good neighbour.
Maybe we has already been brainwashed by the gahment for so many years or maybe our brains had been fried by our education that we can only follow step by step guides to become a good neighbour.
This is yet another prove that social graciousness is long gone in Singapore society.
PS: Wonder how much does it cost to print all these Guildbooks.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)