Singles to be allowed to buy flats directly from HDB

(09-03-2013, 12:54 AM)Some-one Wrote: I think this is a very unfair statement. Singles do want to get married but how to find the right one is the problem. We are unlike the past generation where marrying is the norm. With higher expectation from the females, a lot of men are simply just brush aside. In other words, a lot of them are forced to remain single.

there is no such thing as a "right one" all of them got good points and also flaws there's no such thing as a perfect spouse.

My cousin she well educated quite pretty homely but tells me in confidence that local boys are not interested in her she's almost 40 and still single and embarassed at every chinese new year gathering. Recently she met a foreign guy and they going serious, not chinese not singaporean but at this age and stage prawn also good lah if still want to wait later no chance already so I'm quite happy for her.

You tell me singapore women have high expectations and men are getting brushed aside but she says none of the local boys are interested in her.

I think you people are just lame. There's something seriously messed up with singaporean mentality these days I suspect something to do with our people being too well educated for their own good that we lost touch with reality and start becoming picky.

(08-03-2013, 11:54 PM)pianist Wrote: I have known of young single new citizen in her twenties, bring in foreigner mum to apply four room hdb flat together as a nucleus family unit. Her father looking after house in their home country while mum flew to Singapore to stay with her, basically just to show face. Flat is under her own name as mum is a foreigner, so cannot add name as co-owner. So effectively, we have here an example of a young single new citizen owning a flat by her own name with a fly-in mum to 'stay' as a family. I bet she is not only the new young single citizen doing this method. See how generous new single citizen is being treated compared to local young single.

This is a separate issue and got to do more with the ease of granting citizenship to foreigners. I share your concern bcos the different agencies dont appear to be talking to one another. Notice under the white paper they intend to grant more citizenship each year.

Firstly this is to disincentivise single hood rather than incentivise marriage. They are different. Nobody seriously get married because of HDB flat except those fake marriage of convenience. Hence the age limit; otherwise if it is incrimination there old not be an age limit.

Secondly single hood tends to have lower expense (unless they are brand chasers which is their own self-destruct doing) which is why it is equitable government is providing affordable homes or families. Similar reason why put a levy on foreign workers ie to somewhat level the playing field.

Thirdly the policy touches on the sensitive topic of gay couples, which I am against.

IMHO the policy is about right. For those who can't find a spouse above 35 we need to provide a home, and not force them to rent or live with parents without time limit. Tricky part is how to tweak for single parenthood which we should not incentivise yet is a real struggle.

(09-03-2013, 01:15 AM)sgd Wrote: I think you people are just lame. There's something seriously messed up with singaporean mentality these days I suspect something to do with our people being too well educated for their own good that we lost touch with reality and start becoming picky.

I won't say that it is Singaporeans but in general most developed countries, the traditional family unit is not the only option, whereas in poor countries, the lack of social and economic options simply means marriage is important situation (to compensate that).

It's a issue that I think is out of the scope of this thread and enough ink has been spilled on it in the press and other forums.

what i like most is Khaw Boon Wan's willingness to open up a can of worms and address it properly.

The root of the problem is that the PAP has been using "vote for me and your HDB will increase in value" as a political tool. This evidently cannot go on forever. It is probably unfortubate for LHL that the bubble has to come during his time as a result of the rapid appreciation of prices after the GFC, but anyhow, the end of the party has to come one day, if not LHL, then his successor.

The "vote for me and i'll upgrade your estate" was even worse - it completely damaged the notion of fair play.

It is good KBW is going back to basics, or at least has the political courage to address the root issue of "what should HDB housing be about?". I wish other cabinet ministers can learn from this bloke.

^^ Totally agree. And if we trace the root it started with Goh. Goh is to Singapore what Ah Pian is to Taiwan

(09-03-2013, 09:30 AM)LionFlyer Wrote:

(09-03-2013, 01:15 AM)sgd Wrote: I think you people are just lame. There's something seriously messed up with singaporean mentality these days I suspect something to do with our people being too well educated for their own good that we lost touch with reality and start becoming picky.

I won't say that it is Singaporeans but in general most developed countries, the traditional family unit is not the only option, whereas in poor countries, the lack of social and economic options simply means marriage is important situation (to compensate that).

That is actually the crux of the issue: do we believe the family is the basic unit of the society or individuals? The irony for individualism or extreme liberalism thinking is that when good times roll, it should be no constraint survival of the fittest. But when crap hits the fan, same people expect help from society or families. You cant have your cake and eat it.

(09-03-2013, 09:45 AM)specuvestor Wrote: That is actually the crux of the issue: do we believe the family is the basic unit of the society or individuals? The irony for individualism or extreme liberalism thinking is that when good times roll, it should be no constraint survival of the fittest. But when crap hits the fan, same people expect help from society or families. You cant have your cake and eat it.

I am not looking at it from that perspective, but it is a fair point. A few years ago, I was doing some charity work at a remote village in the Philippines (somewhere near Tarlac city, northern Luzon). I spoke with some of the ladies there in a village cooperative and they were mothers at the age of 16 - 18 and most expressed a wish that they had more opportunities to pursue their dreams. I think that is at the polar opposite of the extreme liberalism. There must be some kind of balance.

Anyway, it is out of scope for this thread.

One thing does interest me though. How many Singaporeans does fall in the above 35 and less than 5k category? I suppose this group is growing. If they do enter the market now, how will it distort the market now and 5 years down the road?

(08-03-2013, 11:54 PM)pianist Wrote: I have known of young single new citizen in her twenties, bring in foreigner mum to apply four room hdb flat together as a nucleus family unit. Her father looking after house in their home country while mum flew to Singapore to stay with her, basically just to show face. Flat is under her own name as mum is a foreigner, so cannot add name as co-owner. So effectively, we have here an example of a young single new citizen owning a flat by her own name with a fly-in mum to 'stay' as a family. I bet she is not only the new young single citizen doing this method. See how generous new single citizen is being treated compared to local young single.

You know it meaning you heard about it through some channels or you know one particular case personally?

I check HDB policy and it says under eligibility:
Quote
Eligibility Conditions
Citizenship
You must be a Singapore Citizen
Your family nucleus must comprise at least another Singapore Citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident.Unquote

(09-03-2013, 01:15 AM)sgd Wrote:

(09-03-2013, 12:54 AM)Some-one Wrote: I think this is a very unfair statement. Singles do want to get married but how to find the right one is the problem. We are unlike the past generation where marrying is the norm. With higher expectation from the females, a lot of men are simply just brush aside. In other words, a lot of them are forced to remain single.

there is no such thing as a "right one" all of them got good points and also flaws there's no such thing as a perfect spouse.

My cousin she well educated quite pretty homely but tells me in confidence that local boys are not interested in her she's almost 40 and still single and embarassed at every chinese new year gathering. Recently she met a foreign guy and they going serious, not chinese not singaporean but at this age and stage prawn also good lah if still want to wait later no chance already so I'm quite happy for her.

You tell me singapore women have high expectations and men are getting brushed aside but she says none of the local boys are interested in her.

I think you people are just lame. There's something seriously messed up with singaporean mentality these days I suspect something to do with our people being too well educated for their own good that we lost touch with reality and start becoming picky.

Well, on the same note, I can also tell you that I have male cousins who are not married simply because no women want them. They are hardworking and all they ask for is a simple family but local women wants them to have a car, earn a certain minimum amount of salary. Compare it to my parents time when my dad was just an odd job labourer. Yet, my parents have been married for 30++ years with 3 kids.

> what i like most is Khaw Boon Wan's willingness to open up a can of worms and address it properly.

They are only doing it to win the votes. If they didn't lose so many votes, will they start to listen?

And why allow singles only 2 room flats? 3 room flat would be a good choice, you can have a spare room to generate some rental if the person has no job.