Homeless for 5 years
Rina (not her real name), age 52, has been living for about 5 years in a homeless shelter for women and children. She sold her HDB flat to pay for her disabled mother’s medical expenses and other debts. After she crossed the 30-month debarment period for flat sellers to apply for a new HDB flat, she was assisted to apply and was alloted a 2-room BTO flat. Her mother is currently in a nursing home. (“Daughter became homeless caring for disabled mother“, Sep 25, 2012)
2-room flat ready, but can’t pay resale levy?
Her BTO 2-room flat is ready for delivery, and the HDB has written to her (she received the letter on 16 Sep) as she was hospitalised for about 4 days (she has been seeking medical treatment with the fees waived under MediFund on and off, for a few years, for various medical ailments).
Although she has enough in her CPF to pay for the cost of the HDB flat ($90,000+) – the HDB is asking her to pay the resale levy of $45,000 (flat-owners who bought a BTO flat or received a housing grant, who buy another BTO flat are required to pay a resale levy).
HDB loan $40,000 and need $11,000 cash?
The HDB is prepared to give her a loan of $40,000 but require cash of $11,000 by 6 October to settle her resale levy.
She intends to take her mother (age 79) out of the nursing home to live with her, as they have been separated for about 5 years already, when she gets her 2-room flat.
Due to her health condition, she was mostly working in food & beverage and retail jobs which paid about $5 to 7 an hour. She is now working as a security officer earning about $1,700+ a month.
She does not have the $11,000 cash, or any money in the bank, in order to take delivery of her flat.
Any suggestions, advice or help from anyone for her, would be greatly appreciated.
Leong Sze Hian
P.S. Come with your family and friends to the 4th Return Our CPF protest on 27 September 4 pm at Speakers’ Corner https://www.facebook.com/events/516436478486589/