There will be a new financial incentive to encourage singles to live with their parents.
Minister-in-Charge of Ageing Issues Lim Boon Heng disclosed this in Parliament on Wednesday when he responded to concerns raised by MPs over the needs of lonely elderly. Over the last few years, the Housing and Development Board (HDB) has built studio flats for the elderly who still want to stay within the community.
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But now, there will be a new initiative which will benefit not just the elderly, but also their unmarried children.
Currently, families get a S$40,000 grant if they purchase a resale flat near their parents or with their parents. A similar scheme will be extended to singles but only if they live with their parents.
Mr Lim said: "The HDB will introduce a similar scheme for singles who buy a resale flat and live with their parents. Eligible singles will now get an additional S$9,000 grant or a total of S$20,000 if they choose to buy a resale flat to live together with their parents."
Presently, singles aged 35 and above are only eligible for an S$11,000 housing grant for a resale flat in any location. HDB will announce details of this new scheme at a later date.
The move is one of several new measures to make life better for senior citizens, with day care centres being another place where the elderly can enjoy social interactions.
Transport subsidies for trips to these centres would be introduced in the second half of this financial year. Currently, such trips cost about S$150 per person a month. - CNA/so
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