Dakota Crescent residents will have to move out by end 2016

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http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/dakota-crescent-tenants-hit-news-redevelopment?singlepage=true

Residents of rental flats in Dakota Crescent, many of whom have lived there since the blocks were built in the 1950s, will have to move out by Dec 31, 2016.

The Housing and Development Board (HDB) plans to redevelop the area for new residences.

About 400 households are affected by the decision.

“It can’t be helped, because the government needs the land,” said Ms Alice Lai, 58, who lives in a three-room flat with her older brother.

Although tenants may get a S$15,000 relocation grant — if they are first-time buyers — on top of the Additional CPF Housing Grant and Special CPF Housing Grant to buy their own flats, many are retirees who do not have enough savings to do so.

About two-thirds of the households have one or more elderly members, the HDB said.

The affected residents can also choose to relocate to new rental flats nearby at Cassia Crescent or receive priority to 1-room or 2-room rental flats in other HDB estates, if they are available. They will also receive a removal allowance of S$1,000 to defray the expenses of relocation.

Being without an income after she was certified unfit for work by her doctors following an operation, Madam Rahmat Bee said she will have to continue to rent.

Another long-time resident of more than 50 years, who wished to be known only as Mr Cheng, said the re-development of an old estate such as Dakota Crescent was “more or less expected”.

Asked if he will consider buying a flat, he replied: “If you’re an older (person) why would you want to buy? Why get yourself in debt?”

Acknowledging that relocation exercises will always be inconvenient, Member of Parliament, Mr Lim Biow Chuan (Mountbatten) said it would be beneficial in the long term.