“The HDB provides a range of affordable housing for 85% of the SG population” — Ho Ching recommends HDB plans

In a recent Facebook post, Madam Ho Ching shared a few points regarding Singapore’s Housing and Development Board.

“The HDB provides a range of affordable housing for 85% of the Sg population,” wrote Madam Ho in a Facebook post that she published on Tuesday (Nov 15). The post shared an article about different layout design ideas for five-bedroom HDB flats.

“Also important is that HDB plans for housing as part of a local community with lots of amenities nearby,” wrote Madam Ho. “These range from markets and town centres, to schools and playgrounds. Of course, there are the MRT stations within 400 metres walking distance, for many HDB towns and precincts, not to mention bus stops, cycling lanes, and park connectors.”

In early November, netizens reacted to the news of co-living spaces becoming more common in Singapore, given the significant rise in property costs. Some even joked that Singapore was becoming like Hong Kong.

“Something has really gone wrong,” wrote one online user, contrasting Singapore from how it was in the time of its founding father, Lee Kuan Yew. “Lee Kuan Yew had the foresight and had laid out a feasible plan to ensure that everyone can afford their own homes during his era and continued then by GCT’s time. Why are we turning Singapore into Hong Kong? Property marketing and pushing up property markets. How long can this last? Just look at Hong Kong today. Is it still considered a good investment country?”

Another simply wrote, “Public housing screw up…the young cannot afford to buy so they need to rent.”

In response to Madam Ho’s post, a few netizens raised some design concerns, from the height of the buildings to the need for more natural light entrances, and even car park space.