We refer to the article “HDB responds to applicant’s claim that family was denied flat, reveals that no application was submitted” (Straits Times, Oct 29).

Request to buy flat repeatedly turned down?

It states that “The Housing Board (HDB) has responded to a Facebook post by an applicant who claimed that her family’s request to buy a flat has been repeatedly turned down in the last five years with no explanation given.

The flat applicant, who goes by the moniker “Rose Devilrose”, said in a Facebook post on Oct 15 that the HDB assumed her family did not have enough savings.

She also said her family was homeless and would not leave “the HDB hub today till we get a answer (letter) in hand for the flat from the higher authority”. The blog post included a picture taken at the HDB Hub.

HDB: You never submit application to buy flat?

HDB, in a reply posted on the “HDB Speaks” portal on Oct 28, clarified that the family did not submit any formal application to buy a flat. The application in question was for a housing loan.

HDB: You never submit loan application with all the required documents from all the applicants and occupiers?

“HDB has not at any point rejected the family’s housing loan application without providing an explanation. In the various correspondences and interactions with ‘Rose’ and her family, HDB officers had asked for documentary proof of their financial position, a routine request made for every loan application,” it said.

But the family did not submit the required documents or information, even though they promised to do so, said HDB.

Police assistance sought as homeless was violent – not because refused to leave HDB Hub?

On the family’s threat to stay put at the HDB Hub, HDB said “security officers had sought police assistance when a member of the family displayed violent behaviour, and not because the family refused to leave the HDB Hub premises”.”

Strange excuse? 

– Don’t you find that the response that no application for a HDB flat was ever received – sounds kind of strange?

Would you apply for a flat when you are unable to get a HDB loan or the Housing Loan Eligibility (HLE) letter from the HDB?

HLE requirements?

According to the HDB’s web site – ”

For Odd Job Worker
	As an applicant:
	a)	Latest Notice of Assessment from IRAS or Recent letter^ from employer certifying job designation, commencement date and commissions / salaries for the last 12 months; and
	b)	Latest 15 months’ CPF contribution history; and
	c)	Credit bureau report#; and
	d)	Latest 12 months’ bank statements/passbook.
	As an occupier:
		Latest Notice of Assessment from IRAS or Recent letter^ from employer certifying job designation, commencement date and salaries for the last 12 months

”

So, since the family is homeless – it may be quite possible that they were not able to submit all the documents required, in order to process the housing loan application.

Told orally cannot qualify for loan?

In any case, it is unlikely that such a homeless family would be able to qualify for a housing loan. It may therefore be probable that this was what the family may have been told orally by the HDB staff.

So, how are you going to help this homeless family?

As to “It added that its officers met the family again on Oct 16 to discuss their problems” – why are we kind of being left hanging in the air? – What is the outcome or the details of their situation now that 13 days have already passed by – from 16 Oct?.

With a few homeless shelters, Interim Housing Scheme, etc – housing an estimated few thousand “homeless” Singaporeans – how many of such families are there in Singapore?

S Y Lee and Leong Sze Hian

P.S. Come with your family and friends to the 5th Return Our CPF protest on 29 November 4 pm at Speakers’ Corner

https://www.facebook.com/events/796694730417598/