SERS have been offered the chance to apply for a new flat at a BTO project in Ang Mo Kio Central but some residents are not sold on the idea, according to residents at Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 whose blocks were selected for the Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme.
Among those who spoke to CNA on Monday August 8 said the flats at the BTO site, which is said to be more accessible, would be pricier. Others were worried about whether they would lose their priority for a unit at the SERS replacement site next to ITE College Central if they were unable to secure a BTO at Ang Mo Kio Central.
According to the letter sent by the Housing and Development Board HDB that was seen by CNA, 10 per cent of the units at the Central Weave BTO site were told that 10 percent of the units at the Ang Mo Kio BTO site would be set aside for them.
This 10 per cent priority allocation comes under the Resettlement Relocation Tenants Priority Scheme.
Residents were told that they could use their SERS rehousing benefits to apply for a flat at the Ang Mo Kio BTO site. HDB said in response to CNA's queries about the allocation of flats, the benefits include a SERS grant of S $30,000.
In its letter, HDB said they extended the offer after some residents expressed interest in the Ang Mo Kio BTO project. The project's Delivery Possession Date DPD is estimated to be within 2029.
The DPD will not be issued until Mar 31, 2029, the existing designated replacement site next to ITE College Central.
The DPD is the date by which HDB is legally required to hand over the keys to residents.
Residents were told that they could enjoy the 10 per cent priority allocation quota and their SERS rehousing benefits at three other BTO projects in the upcoming August BTO exercise. The Keat Hong Grange Choa Chu Kang Woodlands South Plains Woodlands and Sun Plaza Spring Tampines were offered because they have the same DPD as the ITE College Central site.
A 39 year-old resident who wanted to be known as Lynn was concerned that flat prices at the Ang Mo Kio BTO site would be much higher. The Ang Mo Kio BTO site is very close to the MRT. It's very convenient. She noted that the ITE College Central site is not so convenient, even though they said there are buses going to the MRT.
And HDB allocates only 10 per cent of us. But if we can't get a flat there, when we want to go back to the ITE site, will we still be at the front of the queue? Another resident, who gave his name as Crispin, shared the same concerns.
If I apply the BTO then I want to go back to the ITE site, what my status is. What is my status there? If I apply for the BTO then there is no chance that I have already applied for this site. You need to be clear. Can you give residents the reassurance that if you lose, you still win? The 58-year-old, who works in engineering, said he was 58 years old.
I don't want to gamble on this one because I might need to find a whole other house at the end of the day. Crispin said he would still have to wait about five years for his new flat, regardless of the site. If you say I will get a new house next month, then okay, there is a difference, he said.