From: "truth"
Date: Thu, 24 Sep 2009 04:42:09 GMT
Local: Thurs, Sep 24 2009 12:42 pm
Subject: Shitty Times blames Singaporeans for housing problems
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Straits Times Editorial: ...Its all YOUR FAULT!
This is an incredible editorial even by Straits Times standard. It makes no
mention of HDB failure to sufficient housing when the foreign influx caused
a population expansion of 400,000. The 23 Sept 2009 editorial puts the blame
for all the unhappiness surrounding the surge in HDB prices squarely on
ordinary Singaporeans :
"There is little doubt that state housing is affordable, whether new or
resale"
"Home seekers create problems for themselves when, as seen, they buy bigger
places than they can comfortably finance."
"They could also be unyielding about wanting to live.....for the (selfish?)
child-minding convenience".
"This newspaper would go further: If they choose to be obstinate about
quirks, they should not be hectoring the HDB for impossible concessions".
Well this newspaper is not a newspaper but a propaganda sheet. The PAP govt
through its FT policy took in 400,000 people in 3 years without the
corresponding increase of housing supply caused this problem. They now want
Singaporeans to shoulder the burden - lower their expectations, shoulder
more debt for housing or stay in smaller units. Straits Times is ridiculous
to berate Singaporeans for being obstinate, unyielding and selfish.....this
paper deserves its 142 ranking....it is nothing more than propaganda. They
have sunk to a new low blaming a problem created by the PAP govt on ordinary
Singaporeans who are now struggling to cope with the pain caused by poor
govt planning.
--------------------------------------
Watching HDB price behaviour, sensibly
http://business.asiaone.com/Business/My%2BMoney/Property/Story/A1Stor...
There is a rising pitch of anxiety evident in queries and feedback about HDB
housing in recent months. -ST -->
Wed, Sep 23, 2009The Straits Times
Editorial
THERE is a rising pitch of anxiety evident in queries and feedback about HDB
housing in recent months. These have centred on affordability mainly, no
surprise considering that the sudden spurt in private property prices since
July has boosted HDB values, which already were holding better during the
recession. Hence, complaints about cash over valuation. Why don't buyers
exercise their democratic right to not pay a premium by looking in towns
less 'prime'? Home buyers have also touched on policy issues like household
income ceiling and the operation of ethnic quotas. National Development
Minister Mah Bow Tan addressed most outstanding grouses in a well-timed
statement in Parliament last week, but such is the variety of need and the
habits of personal preference that assurances would still leave some
home-seekers unconvinced.
.
Affordability is a bugbear, which in turn influences notions of supply
relative to demand. Median income and the ratio of household income used for
loan service (up to 30 per cent, as a general rule) cited by the minister
are indicative of most people's ability to pay, but these are rough guides.
In every flat type of up to five rooms and the corresponding price ranges,
households which fall below the median income line could progressively be
less able to own their homes. That's a lot of families. Financing difficulty
can also arise when a family chooses a bigger flat than it can pay for, or
needs. There are far too many of these big-is-better purchasers. But this is
also where the comprehensiveness of HDB's income-differentiated schemes and
the different types of supporting grants available reinforce affordability.
.
There is little doubt that state housing is affordable, whether new or
resale, if one considers carefully precise matching need. The HDB has every
conceivable flat type and location to suit every budget. Home seekers create
problems for themselves when, as seen, they buy bigger places than they can
comfortably finance. They could also be unyielding about wanting to live in
'mature' towns or to be near their parents, for the (selfish?) child-minding
convenience. It is an odd mentality that regards only as 'ulu' the new towns
which otherwise score heavily in more spacious estate layout and the much
nicer, contemporary design of flats. And what of 'distance'? Farthest points
on this island are reachable inside an hour by public transport, faster by
car. Mr Mah urged buyers to be sensible about making 'trade-offs' between
location and price. This newspaper would go further: If they choose to be
obstinate about quirks, they should not be hectoring the HDB for impossible
concessions
posted by LuckySingaporean
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