It is a pity to hear that some Singaporeans still think it is a burden to be able to own their own home within 25 years. We have one of the best public housing ownership programmes in the world and you don’t have to look very hard to come to this conclusion. Our HDB flats are comparable or even better than many private homes in other countries around the world.
Even lower-income households, as Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong clearly illustrated in his National Day Rally speech, can own their home (a valuable asset) within 25 years. Compare this with other countries, both developed and developing, where lower-income families can at best rent a home (assuming they can afford to rent).
At the end of paying 25 years of rent, these individuals will have no asset to call their own. After 25 years, these citizens (if they can afford) will continue paying rent if they need a roof over their heads.
For those who cannot see value in owning their own home within 25 years, they can also rent a place like what happens in other countries.
The public housing scheme is a valuable benefit given to only Singapore citizens, and Singaporeans should take full advantage of this.
Christopher Leong
* The letter first appeared in http://www.propertyguru.com.sg