From January to July 2020, 325 households per month had their rents reduced, while 1,470 households per month were emplaced on or renewed for ComCare rent assistance.
The Housing and Development Board (HDB) received an average of 370 requests for rental assistance per month from January to July 2020.
During the same period, 325 households per month had their rents reduced, while 1,470 households per month were emplaced on or renewed for ComCare rent assistance.
“The reduced rent will apply for the rest of each household’s current tenancy term (up to three years),” said the Ministry of National Development (MND) in a written reply to Parliament on 4 September.
The statement was made in response to MP He Ting Ru’s query on how many requests for rent assistance had been received by HDB so far this year under the HDB Public Rental Scheme.
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On whether HDB is considering a temporary rent freeze for tenants, MND noted that public rental rates are highly subsidised, with rents never raised within a tenancy term.
However, they can be lowered at any time once the income of the household fails, it explained, adding that rents are reviewed only at tenancy renewal, which occurs every two to three years.
“Any tenants having difficulty affording their rent should approach their local HDB Branch for assistance,” MND said.
“We will continue to monitor the situation, and ensure that public rental households in need will get the assistance that they require.”
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Victor Kang, Digital Content Specialist at PropertyGuru, edited this story. To contact him about this or other stories, email victorkang@propertyguru.com.sg