Upgrading For HDB Flats Unaffected

Source : TODAY, Monday, February 25, 2008

National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan said the postponement of up to $3 billion worth of public construction projects would not affect upgrading programmes for Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats.

At a community event yesterday, Mr Mah gave the assurance that his ministry would proceed with the Home Improvement and the Neighbourhood Renewal Programmes announced last year for estates such as Yishun and Tampines. Earlier this month, the HDB announced another 58 sites for upgrading.

“We have sufficient budget to be able to continue with our upgrading programmes.” he said.

In his Budget speech on Feb 15, Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam said the Government would be embarking on a transformation of the HDB heartlands by rejuvenating older estates, continuing with upgrading programmes for all estates, as well as building new-generation public housing in places such as Punggol and Dawson.

On the overwhelming demand for new HDB flats in mature estates, Mr Mah said the board was already ramping up its building programme. In its latest bi-monthly sale this month of new flats in mature estates, the HDB received nearly 10,000 applications for 278 four-room and bigger flats. - Channel NewsAsia