Consider per capita income in flat applications

Recently, when my husband and I tried to apply for a three-generation Build-to-Order flat, we were turned down because our combined income exceeded the ceiling of $10,000 by a bit.

This seems logical at first, but not if you consider how many people our income supports. Living with us are our three young children and our 66-year-old mother, who is in poor health.

With six family members (not including the domestic helper), our per capita income is about $2,000.

Compare this with a family of three with a combined income of $10,000. In this case, per capita income is more than $3,000, yet the family is eligible for a new HDB flat.

According to the HDB, we should consider buying a resale flat instead, but this will likely result in another mortgage loan of 10 to 20 years.

This does not tie in with the Government's reminders to be mindful about retirement planning.

Considering that our children are very young and we have to take care of our elderly mother, we hope to be able to qualify for a new HDB flat.

Jenny Tan Gek Hua (Mrs)

This article was first published on Jan 10, 2015.
Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.