Source : The Straits Times, Apr 1, 2008
I WOULD like to voice my frustration over the unfairness of the recent so-called ‘launch’ of the Jade Spring Phase 2 project. I’m sure many other unsuccessful applicants for Phase 1 feel the same way.
My girlfriend and I applied for Jade Spring Phase 1 (we didn’t know there were two phases when we first applied) in December last year and again received an impossible ballot number of over 1,000 (we have tried balloting a couple of times before). We resigned ourselves to our fate, hoping something better might come our way when we finally get to choose our first flat.
However, Phase 2 of the Jade Spring build-to-order project was announced recently on the HDB website. What infuriates us is that it is open to applications again. What happens to applicants who applied unsuccessfully in December? According to the the friendly HDB helpdesk staff: ‘They have to send in their applications again, as this is a new announcement.’
What does this mean? It means, like all other couples who applied in December, my girlfriend and I must pay $10 (more than the cost of a lottery ticket, by the way, although chances of striking the lottery seem higher) again to take part in another draw. With perhaps another few thousand people, for the same project, on the same site, for which we applied barely three months ago.
My question is, why is this considered a new project? I’m sure there are more than enough applicants in December to fill these flats on offer now.
Even if there aren’t, shouldn’t these applicants be given priority?
Because we paid, because we endured the pain of large ballot numbers and because Phase 2 should not be considered a new project at all. Why do we have to pay to re-enter the balloting system?
Lim Yong Chuan
Applicant had choice of 400 flats in Punggol: HDB
ReplyDeleteSource : The Straits Times, Apr 9, 2008
I REFER to the letter, ‘Applicants lose out in build-to-order project’ by Mr Lim Yong Chuan (Apr 1).
Our records show that Mr Lim had been successfully shortlisted for a new flat under the HDB’s Build-to-Order (BTO) Exercise for Treelodge@Punggol in March last year.
However, he did not select a flat despite having over 400 flats to choose from.
Jade Spring@Yishun was launched last December also under the BTO scheme. In view of the good response to this development, HDB expedited the design of the housing project adjacent to it. The launch of Jade Spring@Yishun Phase 2 was brought forward to last month so that unsuccessful applicants would have another opportunity to apply for a flat in the same vicinity.
Under the system, applicants have to submit a fresh application for each BTO exercise to indicate their interest in the project. The $10 application fee is to cover part of HDB’s administrative cost in processing the applications.
HDB has noted Mr Lim’s suggestion to carry over the flat selection queue for adjacent BTO projects launched in successive phases within 3 months. We thank the writer for his feedback.
Kee Lay Cheng (Ms)
Deputy Director (Marketing & Projects)
For Director (Estate Administration & Property)
Housing & Development Board