Dear Editor,
The government’s programme on housing is quite commendable and deserves praise, but this programme needs to be more diversified to satisfy the special needs that some persons have.
At present the emphasis is on purchasing house lots and securing bank loans to build.
There is merit in this scheme but it is most suitable for persons who are currently employed, earning a substantial income and who are not well advanced in age.
The probability exists that they may live to repay the loans. If they do not, maybe the children will fulfil the obligation.
What about retirees whose salaries/wages were not significant and by extension their gratuity and/or pension are negligible? Certainly the loans scheme may not be suitable, especially if they have no children or perhaps their children are either unwilling or unable to guarantee the repayment of the loan.
Without being invidious I am thinking of retired teachers and public servants, some of whom have serious housing problems.
The government should make a meaningful intervention by constructing apartment flats or simply condominium style buildings for rental, or give special concessions to private entrepreneurs to do so.
Yours faithfully,
Malcolm Clarke
