reporter2
22-03-12, 18:24
http://www.straitstimes.com/PrimeNews/Story/STIStory_777657.html
Rochor Centre residents happy to have more options
Some may now consider buying new flats in cheaper housing estates
Published on Mar 15, 2012
http://www.straitstimes.com/STI/STIMEDIA/image/20120314/ST_IMAGES_YCROCHOR15.jpg
Mr Yeo Kee Cheong, 67, looking out to the Bugis area from his block at Rochor Centre. He is hoping to move to Sengkang to be near his daughter and her family. -- ST PHOTO: TED CHEN
By Tham Yuen-C & Cherie Thio
RESIDENTS of Rochor Centre welcomed the changes to the Selective En Bloc Redevelopment Scheme (Sers) announced yesterday, saying they would help them financially with the impending move from their current homes.
This is because some of them have opted to move into the relatively pricey replacement flats reserved for them in nearby Kallang.
Others said they would now consider buying new Build-To-Order (BTO) flats in cheaper housing estates, an option made available to them with the latest tweaks.
The Housing Board yesterday announced several changes to Sers which will benefit all affected homeowners, including those in Rochor Centre.
The housing and commercial complex is being acquired by the Government to make way for the construction of a segment of the new North-South Expressway.
When news about the acquisition broke last November, many residents opposed it, saying that compensation for their flats was insufficient, especially given the relatively high price of the replacement flats in Kallang.
Many Rochor Centre residents The Straits Times spoke to yesterday were still complaining about being forced to move, but welcomed the new concessions.
Mrs Soo Sook Lan, 56, is happy she now has more options.
'I was wondering how we would come up with the money,' said the housewife in Mandarin. She and her husband were intending to buy a four-room replacement flat in Kallang.
Currently, the family live in a three-room unit and will have to top up some $60,000 to get the new flat.
Now that they can choose from other BTO projects around Singapore, they might consider that, she said.
Even if they were to stick with the Kallang flat, being able to use refunded CPF money from the sale of the Rochor flat would help ease their financial burden, she noted.
Another resident, Mr Yeo Kee Cheong, 67, said he would move to Sengkang to be near his daughter and her family.
'The prices in Kallang are too high. In Sengkang, I will pay $270,000 for a four-room flat; in Kallang, it's more than $400,000,' he said, also in Mandarin.
Most residents, though, said they would prefer to remain in an area with which they have become familiar.
'I don't care how much more the Kallang flats cost. I have no choice. I have to move there because there is nothing else nearby,' said Madam Chee Tien Lan, 59, in Mandarin.
The newspaper vendor had been living in the Rochor area from the time she was born.
One person who was clearly happy with the changes was Member of Parliament for Moulmein-Kallang GRC Denise Phua. She has campaigned tirelessly for constituents affected by the land acquisition, holding meetings with the Housing Board and the Ministry of National Development to explain their position.
'It has been a long and hard journey for us in terms of appeals and we are grateful that the authorities are willing to shift their position,' she said.
'Still, reactions from residents will be mixed because the circumstances of each family are different.'
Another group that received good news yesterday was business owners with shops in Rochor Centre.
To help ameliorate the drop in business caused by roadworks and construction in the area, the Housing Board is offering a 10 per cent rebate on rentals for all shop tenants there.
Shoe shop owner Mr Tan, who did not want to give his full name, welcomed the rebate. He will get $600 back for his shop that costs $6,000 to rent.
'It will definitely help, even if it's in a small way,' he said.
But some shop owners disagreed.
Mr P.G. Koo, 45, the boss of an incense and religious goods shop, said: 'How much can 10 per cent do? It can't bring back our customers. Now they think we're closed because of the hoarding.'
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Rochor Centre residents happy to have more options
Some may now consider buying new flats in cheaper housing estates
Published on Mar 15, 2012
http://www.straitstimes.com/STI/STIMEDIA/image/20120314/ST_IMAGES_YCROCHOR15.jpg
Mr Yeo Kee Cheong, 67, looking out to the Bugis area from his block at Rochor Centre. He is hoping to move to Sengkang to be near his daughter and her family. -- ST PHOTO: TED CHEN
By Tham Yuen-C & Cherie Thio
RESIDENTS of Rochor Centre welcomed the changes to the Selective En Bloc Redevelopment Scheme (Sers) announced yesterday, saying they would help them financially with the impending move from their current homes.
This is because some of them have opted to move into the relatively pricey replacement flats reserved for them in nearby Kallang.
Others said they would now consider buying new Build-To-Order (BTO) flats in cheaper housing estates, an option made available to them with the latest tweaks.
The Housing Board yesterday announced several changes to Sers which will benefit all affected homeowners, including those in Rochor Centre.
The housing and commercial complex is being acquired by the Government to make way for the construction of a segment of the new North-South Expressway.
When news about the acquisition broke last November, many residents opposed it, saying that compensation for their flats was insufficient, especially given the relatively high price of the replacement flats in Kallang.
Many Rochor Centre residents The Straits Times spoke to yesterday were still complaining about being forced to move, but welcomed the new concessions.
Mrs Soo Sook Lan, 56, is happy she now has more options.
'I was wondering how we would come up with the money,' said the housewife in Mandarin. She and her husband were intending to buy a four-room replacement flat in Kallang.
Currently, the family live in a three-room unit and will have to top up some $60,000 to get the new flat.
Now that they can choose from other BTO projects around Singapore, they might consider that, she said.
Even if they were to stick with the Kallang flat, being able to use refunded CPF money from the sale of the Rochor flat would help ease their financial burden, she noted.
Another resident, Mr Yeo Kee Cheong, 67, said he would move to Sengkang to be near his daughter and her family.
'The prices in Kallang are too high. In Sengkang, I will pay $270,000 for a four-room flat; in Kallang, it's more than $400,000,' he said, also in Mandarin.
Most residents, though, said they would prefer to remain in an area with which they have become familiar.
'I don't care how much more the Kallang flats cost. I have no choice. I have to move there because there is nothing else nearby,' said Madam Chee Tien Lan, 59, in Mandarin.
The newspaper vendor had been living in the Rochor area from the time she was born.
One person who was clearly happy with the changes was Member of Parliament for Moulmein-Kallang GRC Denise Phua. She has campaigned tirelessly for constituents affected by the land acquisition, holding meetings with the Housing Board and the Ministry of National Development to explain their position.
'It has been a long and hard journey for us in terms of appeals and we are grateful that the authorities are willing to shift their position,' she said.
'Still, reactions from residents will be mixed because the circumstances of each family are different.'
Another group that received good news yesterday was business owners with shops in Rochor Centre.
To help ameliorate the drop in business caused by roadworks and construction in the area, the Housing Board is offering a 10 per cent rebate on rentals for all shop tenants there.
Shoe shop owner Mr Tan, who did not want to give his full name, welcomed the rebate. He will get $600 back for his shop that costs $6,000 to rent.
'It will definitely help, even if it's in a small way,' he said.
But some shop owners disagreed.
Mr P.G. Koo, 45, the boss of an incense and religious goods shop, said: 'How much can 10 per cent do? It can't bring back our customers. Now they think we're closed because of the hoarding.'
[email protected]
[email protected]