THE three blocks of HUDC flats in Potong Pasir are now a step closer to being privatised.
At the end of a three-day, weekend drive to collect signatures, about 150 households out of the 175 in Blocks 110, 111 and 112 Potong Pasir Avenue 1 had signed on the dotted line, signalling their support.
This 85 per cent support level exceeds the minimum 75 per cent required by the Government for privatisation to go ahead. With this development, the only HUDC estate on the island that has not been given the go-ahead for privatisation is Braddell View.
Privatisation makes HUDC residents the owners of their units and the common property, which gives them better control over the running of their estate.
The residents each have to pay a set sum, including legal and survey fees, for this. After privatisation, an HUDC estate will, for example, no longer fall under Housing Board (HDB) regulations, such as those governing the seeking of approval before sub-letting a unit.
The cost of privatisation is capped at $30,000 per flat in Hougang and Potong Pasir, with the Government absorbing the difference if it exceeds this.
There are 18 HUDC or Housing & Urban Development Company estates in all, located in places such as Bishan, Farrer Road and Pine Grove. They were introduced in 1974 to meet the demand for homes by middle-income households priced out of private property, and phased out in 1987 when more housing choices were introduced.
Source: The Straits Times – 9 January 2012
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