http://www.straitstimes.com/archive/...ve-90-20141227

HDB satisfaction levels down, but are still above 90%

Published on Dec 27, 2014 12:49 AM

By Janice Heng


THE proportion of Housing Board (HDB) residents who are satisfied with their homes and neighbourhoods has dipped, though satisfaction levels are still above 90 per cent, according to an HDB survey conducted every five years.

In the Sample Household Survey of almost 8,000 households conducted last year, 91.6 per cent were satisfied with their flat, down from 96.4 per cent in 2008.

Those who were not were mainly concerned about the condition of their ageing flats.

Satisfaction with the neighbourhood slipped to 92 per cent, from 95.1 per cent. But this was mainly due to the people rather than the place, with inconsiderate neighbours cited as the main problem.

Satisfaction with estate facilities rose instead to 96.1 per cent, up from 94.4 per cent previously.

The survey results ring true for Madam Linda Leong, 59, who is unemployed. The Ang Mo Kio resident has thrice complained to her town council about her neighbours putting bicycles and wet laundry outside their flat. "They think they can put anything they like in the corridor," she said.

The issue has now largely been resolved, but Madam Leong still sees other inconsiderate behaviours, such as pigeon feeding.

Pigeon feeding, items placed in corridors and high-rise littering are among the common complaints that Nee Soon GRC MP Patrick Tay has received.

While voluntary mediation can help, some residents are less willing to cooperate, he noted.

"I'm looking forward to the Community Dispute Resolution Tribunal," he added. The tribunal, to be set up next year, will have enforcement powers.

But the HDB's survey was not all bad news. Despite the problem of inconsiderate neighbours, it found that more people are interacting with their neighbours.

Furthermore, 85.7 per cent of respondents said they interact with neighbours of different ethnic groups or nationalities, up from 77 per cent before.

Grassroots organisations have been making an effort to integrate new citizens, noted Mr Tay.

Social media can also help. Holland-Bukit Timah GRC MP Liang Eng Hwa noted that residents of the Segar Meadows project have a Facebook group, where they will notify neighbours of upcoming noisy parties or events and ask for their understanding.

"It's really about communication," he said. "The Facebook group has become a platform for community bonding."

In a blog post, National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan said the survey results will help the HDB understand residents' changing needs and expectations.

"They provide useful information for our policy reviews and subsequent improvements to town design," he added yesterday.

He highlighted, in particular, the finding that 81 per cent of elderly residents wanted to grow old in their current flat.

They thought their existing flat was comfortable, had an emotional attachment to it, or wanted their children to inherit it.

Only 4.2 per cent intended to move in the next five years, down from 7.3 per cent in 2008.

The HDB will work harder to cater to this wish to age in place, said Mr Khaw.

"We will also have to do more to familiarise them with the various monetisation options, such as the Lease Buyback Scheme and Silver Housing Bonus."

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