More receive grants for HDB flats

This post came out from The Straits Times (13 April 2016)

The Proximity Housing Grant, introduced last year to encourage families to live closer, is given to Singapore citizen families who buy a resale flat with or near their parents or married child. There were 2,100 families and 240 single who received the Proximity Housing Grant since it was introduced in August last year, HDB told The Straits Times.

The grant quantum is $10,000 for eligible singles who buy a resale flat to live in with their parents. More Singaporeans have become newly eligible for flats and housing grants since the Government tweaked several housing policies last year.

The household income ceilings to buy resale flats using the CPF Housing Grant and new HDB flats, for instance, were raised. The ceiling for families was lifted from $10,000 to $12,000, while the ceiling for singles went from $5,000 to $6,000. As a result, an additional 3,700 families and 800 singles became newly eligible to buy a new flat from HDB or a resale flat with the CPF Housing Grant, HDB said.

The Special CPF Housign Grant was also enhanced from the November 2015 flat launches to help lower and middle income households afford their first home. The household income ceilign for grant eligibility was raised from $6,500 to $8,500 for families and from $3,250 to $4,250 for singles. The maximum grant amount was doubled to $40,000 for families and $20,000 for singles.

Thoughts anyone?

Yours,

Something Small Thinking Big

Fresh Start families to get personalised support (Committee of Supply Debate: Ministry of National Development)

This post came out from The Straits Times (12 April 2016)

Second-timer families on the public rental scheme, who get help to buy a new flat, will have to live in it for 20 years before they sell it. This is "to ensure a stable home for the children" said National Development Minister Lawrence Wong yesterday, revealing details of the Fresh Start Housing Scheme.

Families who qualify will also get personalised help even after they get he keys of their flat, he added, during the parliamentary debate on his ministry's budget. Announced last year and set to start by the end of 2016, the Fresh Start Housing Scheme aims to help public rental tenants with young children buy flats of their own.

Currently, about 1,000 families could potentially qualify, Mr Wong revealed yesterday. The scheme will not have a large reach, but "can an will have a meaningful impact on the families we are reaching out to", he added. To keep prices affordable, it is only for two room Flexi flats with leases of 45 to 65 years.

Eligible families will be able to get a Housing Board concessionary loan regardless of how many such loans they have taken before. And the previously-announced Fresh Start Housing Grant will be given in tranches. The grant will range from $31,400 for a 45 year lease to $35,000 for a 60 year or 65 year lease. Families will get $20,00 upon collecting the keys to their flat. The rest will be disbursed annually over the next five years.

But to get these later tranches - and to qualify for the scheme at all - families must show commitment to making a fresh start, said Mr Wong. They must stay employed, manage finances well, and ensure their children attend school regularly. To track and help families in this commitment, the HDB will work with the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF).

MSF officers will check on the families regularly, from flat application till key collection, and for five years afterwards. They will also link families up with other partners for social support, where needed. "We will hand-hold the families closely and walk this journey with them," concluded Mr Wong. If families face difficulties along the way, HDB will consider their circumstances and the efforts they are making to meet the conditions of the scheme.

Mr Saktiandi Supaat (Bishan - Toa Payoh GRC) raised concerns about stringent grant conditions. Replied Mr Wong: "I am very mindful that the conditions should not be onerous. "But at the same tie, we are making a major move for these families by giving them another grant. So I think it's fair they must be able to show a certain level of commitment towards home ownership."

Separately, second timer rental families will get priority for new flats from the next Build-To-Order exercise onwards. This is under the Tenants Priority Scheme, which sets aside 10 per cent of new two and three room flats and is currently for first timers. In 2015, 411 two room flats were set aside, far more than the 48 applications received. Extending the scheme to second timers will increase their chances of getting a flat, said Minister of State for National Development Koh Poh Koon.

Fresh Start: Who's eligible
About 1,000 households could qualify for the new Fresh Start Housing Scheme. Here are the eligible criteria.
Applicant status: Second timers who have bought a subsidised flat before.
Rental status: The family must have occupied a public rental flat for at least two years - and not have accumulated three or more months of arrears at any point in the past year.
Demographics: At least one Singaporean parent and one citizen child. Parent or parents must be at least 35, and child below 16. Parents may be married, divorced, or widowed.
Employment: At least one parent in stable employment in the preceding 12 months.
Family situation: Families will be assessed by the Ministry of Social and Family Development. They must be stable, hold down a job, manage their finances well, and the children must attend school regularly.

Thoughts:

1. This is an interesting schemes where you see two Ministries working together to ensure that families can have a permanent roof over their heads. One that deals with housing, and the other to deal with financial and family support.
2. What I can see here is a conservative attempt by the Government, where they try to take a risk based approach to help those families that are more stable, and to provide them with the grant again to purchase flats. Do note that the flats are of a shorter lease, and this means that they are more affordable in nature. 
3. It does not escape one's eyes that one of the criteria is where the family must have a child below 16 years old. I think they are also looking at how to help these families so that children can grow up in a more secure environment, and to have a new perspective in life too. 
4. Lastly, the attempt that this scheme will require regular follow up with MSF officers would ensure that there is someone out there helping to keep a look out for these families, who might seem to be able to cope, but actually might have some long term challenges. 

Thoughts anyone?

Yours,

Something Small Thinking Big

HDB may give shorter leases for 'Fresh Start'

This post came out from The Straits Times (16 December 2015)

An upcoming scheme to help public rental households own a home again could offer two room flexi flats on shorter leases. Such leases are now only for elderly buyers. This Fresh Start Housing Scheme includes a new grant, which may be disbursed in tranches subject to conditions, to motivate the new home owners to stay in jobs and put their children through school, for instance.

National Development Minister Lawrence Wong shared these latest ideas in a blog post yesterday. Announced at August's National Day Rally, the Fresh Start Housing Scheme is for second-timer families with young children. They would have owned a flat, but sold it and are now public rental tenants.

The Ministry of National Development and the HDB have been gathering views to share the scheme via public dialogues. One group consulted were former flat owners now living in public rental flats. Most said they wanted to own a flat again but could not get a mortgage, noted Mr Wong.

First, the Fresh Start Housing Scheme will help them with a new Fresh Start Housing Grant, he said. Second, we can consider providing them with another HDB concessionary loan, he added. Third, the HDB will explore offering them two room flexi flats on shorter leases, which cost less. Although two room flexi flats are similar in size to public rental flats, the 'big difference' is that the former will be a flat they they pay for and can eventually call their own, said Mr Wong.

Also consulted were former public rental tenants who became home owners. Many had support from friends, family, government agencies and community organisation, and "had a very strong sense of self-motivation", noted Mr Wong. They all agreed on the importance of securing regular employment, working hard, and putting their children through school, so that the problems do not continue with the next generation.

Social workers, who were consulted, said a key factor was for families to believe in their own ability to succeed. One suggestion was to disburse the housing grant in a few tranches over time, subject to conditions. Mr Wong said this was a good idea which HDB will consider. At the National Day Rally, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that families should show they are "determined to get back on their feet, committed to putting their children through school".

AWWA Family Service Centre director Edwin Yim said looking at other aspects such as employment was a good idea: "You cannot look at housing alone. It's really about how to stabilise the household." The public can send their suggestions for the scheme to feedback@mnd.gov.sg

Thoughts:

1. In my dealings with unemployed and homeless people, something that came strongly was that without a roof over their heads, they are not able to rest well, properly grommed and be ready for work. But yet, without money or employment, HDB would not also provide them with a rental flat, or wven owning a flat. This is a chicken and egg issue that needs to be looked into as well!

Thoughts anyone?

Yours,

Something Small Thinking Big

New scheme offers fresh start to families living in rental flats

This post came out from The Straits Times (26 August 2015)

A new scheme for families living in rental units after being forced to sell their flats can help them move out of poverty, social workers have told The Straits Times. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced the Fresh Start Housing Scheme at Sunday's National Day Rally to help second-timer rental households own a two-room flat.

He also suggested a Fresh Start Housing Grant to help such families purchase their flats, as well as providing counselling for issues such as jobs, relationships, education and drugs. However, the grant would be "not without conditions". Experts believe that home ownership will encourage families to develop more stable employment and relationships, as well as keep their children away from unsavoury influences which rental-flat environments can bring. While the details are sill being worked out, Mr Lee said the two-room flats will come with shorter leases and stricter resale conditions to make them more affordable.

Ms Petrine Lim, principal social worker at Fei Yue Family Service Centre, believes that flat ownership will take housing woes out of the equation and allow families to focus on fixing other problems. She said: "It's only right that (the flats) have stricter resale rules so the families cannot revert to the same cycle of selling the flat and moving back into rental units. It's only fair so the problem is less likely to recur".

Mrs Shelen Ang, head of research and development at charity Focus on the Family Singapore, said: "It is encouragement that they won't be stuck in this cycle of poverty." Ms Denise Phua, an MP for Moulmein-Kallang GRC, who chairs the Government Parliamentary Committee for Social and Family Development, said that many of the families being targeted for assistance could have sold their first flats because of financial hardship or divorce.

While the Housing Board and Ministry of National Development said yesterday that the scheme will target families with young children, some urged the authorities to consider helping divorcees as well. Awwa Family Service Centre director Edwin Yin said divorcees with children often end up living with extended family members, lacking the autonomy to build their own family culture or discipline their children.

Social workers backed the safety nets associated with the scheme and grant, such as stricter resale conditions and how the grant, if introduced, would include counselling, among other conditions yet to be specified. "It is not just about owning a flat again. It is the whole scheme of things to help these families deal with any recurring issues," said Mrs Ang.

Mr Donald Han, managing director of property consultancy Chestertons Singapore, suggested a shorter lease of about 30 years compared with the usual 99 years on a HDB flat. "These parent would likely be in their 40s, so in 30 years, they would be in their 70s and would have their children to support them, or they could have upgraded (their flats) by then," he said.

National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan said yesterday that he is confident details for the scheme can be sorted out over the next few months so implementation can begin next year.


Thoughts:

1. This is the Singapore story, giving you a second chance to again to live life here. Government is doing good to give people a way out of their current plight. However, would people fall back into their same old ways again?
2. One thing that I felt that can enhance the scheme better is to tie in financial assistance with the grants. Money is the root of a lot of difficulties that low income families in rental flats face. We might not want to provide indefinite financial assistance to them; perhaps a 6 months to 1 year old assistance for any families that take up this scheme (irregardless they qualify for the current ComCare scheme) as a step up process for them. This additional assistance can help reduce concerns on paying utilities and educational expenses, allowing the parents to focus on working. 

Thoughts anyone?

Yours,

Something Small Thinking Big

She falls but gets help with just a click

This post came out from The New Paper (26 July 2015)

A slipper got caught in her walking stick, causing her to trip and fall hard on her right hip. Given the intense pain she was in, Madam Choon Keng Chan could hardly move or stand up. The consequences could have been dire for Madam Choon because she lives alone.

But fortunately for the 101-year old, help came in 30 minutes, even though it was 11pm. This was all thanks to the Elderly Monitoring System (EMS), which is designed to watch over senior citizens living alone.

When the accident happened last month, Madam Choon pressed a button on the EMS device which she carries with her. Madam Doh Tong Kiok, 70, a Lions Befriender, rushed to Madam Choon's one room Bukit Merah View HDB flat.

In october 2010, The New Paper partnered the Lions Befrienders Service ASsociation and Nee Ann Polytechnic (NP) to launch Project Helping Hands.

The aim was to install motion sensors and alarms in the homes of the elderly who live alone so that help can reach them in an emergency. The number of elderly people living alone is expected to increase to 83,000 by 2030 - up from 35,000 according to the Ministry of Social and Family Development.

The Elderly Monitoring System (EMS), developed by NP teachers and students, tracks a resident's movements and sends an SMS to a family member, caregiver or volunteer from Lions Befrienders, should it detect long bouts of inactivity. The occupant is also given a hand-held device with a button that he can press to send an alert. To fully realise the project's aim, Project Helping Hands worked with TNP readers to raise $1million for the project.

Lions Befrienders' divisional director for befriending services Michael Chua says this money was used to install 500 EMS devices and will cover maintenance costs for the next five years. Project Helping Hands also appealed for volunteers to adopt seniors living on their own.

Similiar to the EMS, the Housing Board (HDB) has been testing another sensor system that alerts caregivers when their elderly charges are in trouble. The Smart Elderly Monitoring and Alert System (Semas), developed by HDB and four other enterprises, was placed in 12 rental flats from June to November last year.


Thoughts:

1. Kudos to TNP for starting this project! I believe that there are many seniors who are living alone in the older estate, be it in purchased and rental flats and this idea can help to reduce occurrences of seniors who need help but could not get it in time!
2. One caution to note is that while such devices are useful, we should not forget the human touch that these seniors would need too! Social isolation is a real issue despite having this system.
3. Lastly, HDB should really consider putting this in the older rental flats for free. They can do the infrastructure set ups while the VWOs can help to manage the system and get the volunteers to come in and help the seniors in need. 
4. VWOs might not have the funds to do it; HDB might not have the manpower to service the seniors in need. I think this is a win win situation!

Thoughts anyone?

Yours,

Something Small Thinking Big

Changing S'pore family and what it spells for the future

This post came out from The Straits Time (11 June 2015)

There are more analysis on an earlier post (New study on extended family to ensure care) in the papers.

Several academics and welfare experts are of the view that the definition of "family" should be broadened to include extended family members for policies that involve incentives and benefits for those who support their relatives. It could greatly lighten the burden of caregivers who, on top of caring for elderly parents and young children, want to support relatives too, they said.

One such policy is the Central Provident Fund (CPF) Retirement Sum Topping-Up Scheme, in which people can top up their loved ones; CPF accounts. Right now, "loved ones" include a person's parents, parents-in-law, siblings, spouse, grandparents and grandparents-in-law. In a 2013 survey by the Ministry of Social and Family Development, four in fie polled said that they maintained ties with relatives. That suggests some Singaporeans might welcome the chance to support their relatives in their retirement years.
Note: The money used to top up the accounts can come from the person's own CPF account, or if they use cash, they may enjoy up to $7,000 in tax relief per year.

There were more mixed views of suggestions for housing grants or priority allocation schemes to be extended to people who live near their relatives, especially childless uncles or aunts living alone. National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan had cautioned against this as they could result in an "alumni effect" that shuts out young couples whose parents do not reside in the estate they want to live in. To extend the help to people living near their uncles and aunts could result in a similar effect. Second, the priority system could be abused. For those with relatives living in popular mature estates, it could even lead to unnecessary over-consumption by those who do not need public housing, but just the flat due to the premium housing. Plus, there is a difficulty of trying to verify if the nieces and nephews are indeed looking after the old folks.

Meanwhile, at least one expert worries that broadening the definition of "family" in policy could lead to a scenario where shared responsibility becomes diluted responsibility. Said Mr Edwin Yim, direct of the Asian Women's Welfare Association Family Services: "Giving more help options could mean providing more back doors. A person may feel less inclined to support his father if he knows the father can get financial help from other relatives."

But Mrs Chang-Goh Song Eng, head of Reach Counselling, said there was a need to deal with the actual situation on the ground. "Ideally, we want to focus on the family nucleus as the first line of support. But the reality is that family forms are changing and we want to ensure they are still well-supported."

Agreeing, IPS research fellow Christopher Gee said it would not be good to claim to be pro-family, yet be unwilling to accept that "family forms are changing rapidly".

In making this shift, it seems policymakers need to strike a careful balance between ensuring support services are future-ready and not incentivising children to pass on the responsibility of care to relatives, instead of sharing it with them. The first line of care and support must remain the immediate family. When that weakens, the hope is that the extended family will step forward, and with government help, offer support.


Thoughts:

1. My major concern is that, if the immediate family do not help provide for their parents, is the state going to play a much bigger role in the future and dipping into the yearly budget and support for these aged whom the family members do not want to support? This is a very difficult problem that the government have to consider very very carefully. 

Thoughts anyone?

Yours,

Something Small Thinking Big