tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post1653709969225302919..comments2024-03-19T18:44:15.041+08:00Comments on Little Stories: Would ANYONE Be Homeless By Choice?Gilbert Koh aka Mr Wanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027678080233274309noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-20700274305320007062009-01-28T06:16:00.000+08:002009-01-28T06:16:00.000+08:00I spent a few years off-and-on homeless by choice,...I spent a few years off-and-on homeless by choice, but noone would be able to tell I was homeless unless I told them. During that time I was a successful student, graduating as the distinguished grad in math from U of Arizona. I just wrote about my time homeless, here:<BR/>http://tinyurl.com/b74fyzAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-29239929632667899342008-07-26T05:09:00.000+08:002008-07-26T05:09:00.000+08:00I dont know about Singapore, or even how relevant ...I dont know about Singapore, or even how relevant this is anymore, but I stumbled across this page after putting in "Homeless by choice" to google, so heres my reply:<BR/><BR/>Yes. People can be (and are)homeless by choice. At least in America. Often it has to do with wanting freedom. I know personally, as I have been a "stray" myself for three months so far and see no reason to change it. Now, not all people are homeless by choice, the majority are not. But I thought I'd give an honest answer to your little blog. =3<BR/><BR/>P.S.<BR/>I'm not a kid/teen runaway, abuse case, orphan, a drug addict or alcoholic, either.. Just thought I'd add that, since those seem to be the first things someone thinks when they hear about people like me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-37119286760687376972008-03-26T01:12:00.000+08:002008-03-26T01:12:00.000+08:00What "technical rule". Rules are static - never me...What "technical rule". Rules are static - never meant to capture all possible genuine scenarios. Human beings are not robots (although some people are employed to act like one) and we should overlook "technical rule" if need be.<BR/><BR/>Surely, HDB and MPs know that if the story pertaining to the 'technical rule' is indeed true, they should table some changes in Parliament for immediate rectification.<BR/><BR/>We are not too concerned with those who are 'homeless by choice'.<BR/><BR/>We are concerned with those who are homeless NOT BY CHOICE.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-41409629109440801132007-12-21T07:18:00.000+08:002007-12-21T07:18:00.000+08:00Mr. Wang: Yes, it appears that many homeless pe...Mr. Wang:<BR/><BR/> Yes, it appears that many homeless people prefer being homeless! But it is a matter of making the best of a bad situation and getting used to it! Many homeless also experience a comaraderie amongst other homeless people, a unity they would not have in the real world! <BR/> As one who experienced the worst possible early-onset mental problems, both psychological and phsiological, (Paranoia, extreme fear, then topped-off by a Burst brain aneurism at 20 y/o that my parents left alone to heal!) It was never treated! I couldn't speak or understand words for the longest time! People thought I was crazy, which just added to the problem mix..I guess my parents thought it was just a nervous breakdown, as I was tettering along that path for years, when I felt a "small "POP" in my upper left forehead when coming home from work!!I still feel some after effects of it all some 45 years later! A whole abnormal social and personal life developed resulted from these problems, adding other things to be worked-on besides the primary sicknesses! And when you are in pain, as everybody experiences at one time or another, there is no time for goals, good study habits and marriage, though I eventually got married, just to have it dissolved after 18 years! One tends to think only about getting better and surviving, which is rarely ever attacked by the intellect, but by an emotional system that bears-up to the challenge by taking-it-on-the-chin, and living another day holdin-on to life and sanity as tightly as you can! You see, the emotional system that is battered to begin with, is the only resource many of us had to deal with our problems! I would like to see others accept situations and bear-up to them as I have, never having to take things to escape a terribly hurting emotional system! But that is unrealistic, unless someone takes a personal hand and provides day-to-day support and REAL help! But who knows the story that only they can tell! A person like myself can help some, but I have so much to do to catch-up and get off the homeless roles, that time constraints do not permit it! Remember, I am almost 68 and would like to lead some sort of life until the final day! Another problem is that I would not ask for help or assistance, and I don't know why that is, because I would be much farther ahead! Those of you with problems continue to seek meaningful help until you find it! Don't be stupid like I was!<BR/><BR/> Thanks<BR/><BR/> Thomas W. AtkielskiAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-7441788520232679822007-10-23T12:29:00.000+08:002007-10-23T12:29:00.000+08:00I wonder did other countries import so many foreig...I wonder did other countries import so many foreign talents?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-14968362766356776662007-05-08T20:42:00.000+08:002007-05-08T20:42:00.000+08:00Re: Rental Scheme (Eligibility) With regards to th...Re: Rental Scheme (Eligibility) <BR/><BR/>With regards to the rule that "Person who has bought 2 HDB flat directly from government is debarred from HDB's Rental Scheme":<BR/>Example to illustrate: <BR/>Q: If Dad has purchased flats directly from HDB twice (co-owner of flat 1, sole-owner of flat 2), and Mum has only purchase flat directly from HDB once (co-owner of flat 1, occupier of flat 2) - Is my Mum still eligible to apply for Rental Scheme (having my Dad as an occupier), taken into consideration that she and my Dad do qualify all other remaining requirements e.g. household income less than $1500 etc.?<BR/>A: No, since this ruling is applicable to not one but all the Rental Scheme tenants in the same household or family nucleus. <BR/><BR/>With regards to the rule that "Person who has sold HDB flat in the open market is debarred for 30 months from HDB's Rental Scheme": <BR/>Example to illustrate:<BR/>Under normal circumstances, flat downgraders would usually have sufficient funds to finance the purchase of a smaller flat or rent. This is however not true for all cases (due to financial hardship) and I wish to illustrate an exemplary Estimated Sales Proceed Calculation (in sgd): <BR/><BR/>Estimated Sale Proceeds for a 4-room = 240000<BR/>less <BR/>Outstanding HDB Loan = 224000 <BR/>HDB Late Payment Fees = 6000 <BR/>CPF utilized plus accrued interest that will be put into the respective Retirement Accounts [for wife (61 yrs old) and husband (55 yrs old)] = 13000 <BR/>Property Agent's Commission = 4800 <BR/>Legal Fees = 200 <BR/>Others (e.g. overdue payments for income tax, property tax) = 700 <BR/> <BR/>Balance = -8700<BR/> <BR/><BR/>Therefore, I would like to challenge that the above rigid rulings are unnecessary hurdles that poor/ needy people have to struggle against, on top of their personal hardships. The only suggestion I perceive is that HDB is trying to prevent families who have previously profited from sale of HDB flats in the open market to enter the Rental Scheme. It is not wrong but neither is it justifiable for all cases. <BR/><BR/>They are exception cases where people who are not eligible due to the two exemplary red-tapes above, who are homeless and have close to zero savings or incomes. These people in real dire strait hardships will have to follow up with appeals after appeals with no certainties. To make things worse – If these people are not educated/ lack education, they would have to wait from week to week to seek appeal writing aid from Meet-the-people Session that is only available every Monday from 8pm onwards. <BR/><BR/>My point is that there must be measures in HDB Rental Scheme system to aid people with real needs; even though they may have previously enjoyed subsidy-scheme from the government. They cannot and should not be allowed to become homeless Singaporean Citizens/ PR just because they are having financial hardships due to business failures, unemployment, retrenchment, severe pay cuts, business failure, prolonged illness or death of the sole breadwinner etc.<BR/> <BR/>Please feel free to correct me if I have been negligent and wrong about any of the above. <BR/> <BR/>Joanne - bebebergenwall@gmail.comBebehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02218494040513230090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-68124316743831924852007-05-08T20:31:00.000+08:002007-05-08T20:31:00.000+08:00Re: HDB Rental Scheme (Supply and Demand)Date: 7th...Re: HDB Rental Scheme (Supply and Demand)<BR/><BR/>Date: 7th May 2007<BR/>After speaking to the HDB Rental Scheme hotline 1800 225 5432, I was informed that the queue for Rental Scheme is about registered 400 families/ people as of May 2007 (excluding those who are appealing because they are not directly eligible or not yet registered) and the wait is more than 6 or 9 months. There is obviously a lack of HDB subsidized rental flats for low-income/ poor family, and people are not on the streets yet probably credited to charity homes (Are they homeless shelters in Singapore?) or kind friends and relative that are willing to put them up. This scenario is extremely unacceptable, not in the affluent society Singapore is today whereby our politicians are drawing not only world-class salaries, but salaries higher than any other countries, even pro-welfare high-taxation Scandinavian countries.<BR/><BR/>Here is a little Q&A session while I was on the hotline:<BR/>Q: Are there any plans to provide and supply more rental flats in the future? <BR/>A: There is, but nothing is confirmed.<BR/>Q: So where do all the homeless people go?<BR/>A: They have to find alternative housing first.<BR/><BR/>Honestly speaking, there is no alternative housing in Singapore. If you go and rent a flat in the open market, the rental would handicap the low-income family. If you rent a room for a family, the open market rental is still high and room renting are not suited for families, but for singles.<BR/><BR/>The HDB rental flats under HDB Rental Scheme are the alternative housing for this group of low-income people! Instead of selling a few hundred flats monthly and bi-monthly to probably the same group of low-income people enquiring and queuing for HDB rental flats, who most probably will struggle critically when getting and eventually paying for their housing loan after flat purchase, why not reshuffle these flats on sales to provide for these approximately 400 over people desperately in need of a roof over their heads? Has HDB gotten their priorities confused? Have our sociology experts and scholars forgotten to inform the politicians and governmental workers that are serving the people that homeless people goes through tremendous traumas and depressions?<BR/><BR/>My parents, 57 and 61 years old, are on the verge of being homeless since their current 4-room flat is facing compulsory acquisition action from HDB. Both of them have contributed in labour, in taxes, and in spirit to build Singapore for more than 3 decades. Is this how our government intends to support our poor, elderly and senior population and citizens? <BR/><BR/>Joanne – bebebergenwall@gmail.comBebehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02218494040513230090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-75067290747806496732007-02-08T07:32:00.000+08:002007-02-08T07:32:00.000+08:00I think every homeless case should be studied indi...I think every homeless case should be studied individually.<br /><br />Have anyone watch "Pursuit of Happyness?"<br /><br />In India, there are still some homeless beggars on the street. They are there because they probably get more as a beggar than try to get some jobs to do. And because there are some welfare organisation giving them food, so they camp outside these welfare organisations.<br /><br />In Sydney, there are also homeless people in town. They sit around waiting for generous donations, at the end of the day, they spend the money to drink.<br /><br />So should we help all these cases of homeless people? I do not agree, not helping at all, nor helping every cases. But on a case by case basis.<br /><br />I guess that is the issue we need to address.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-86531476890026841122007-02-08T07:20:00.000+08:002007-02-08T07:20:00.000+08:00Does anyone actually get time to read what we sign...Does anyone actually get time to read what we sign at the HDB when we buy the flat?<br /><br />Seriously, I never. All they tell me is "Sign here, and here, and here... "<br /><br />I think all these things we sign should not be legally valid at all because we have no time to read.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-89844854693610990762007-02-03T13:28:00.000+08:002007-02-03T13:28:00.000+08:00It seems like most of the rules, directives, etc f...It seems like most of the rules, directives, etc from stat board such as HDB, IRAS, etc that had been made long long time ago are still the same as of today. They keep saying the need to change or review but the rules, directives, etc are just there and not changing or even being reviewed.<br /><br />One such example to quote will be Parents Relief Claim when filing Income Tax: <br /><br />One of the conditions that a son/daughter can claim for parent relief is that the parents' income must not exceed $2000 annually. In today's Singapore, I really do not know what kind of job yield such an income ($2000 annually)???<br /><br />There are a lot more of example such as timing of free parking on Sunday or why free parking not being reviewed to both Sat and Sun since most companies and Government sector are on 5-days work week and Government encouraging on family bonding.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-63855787085677387622007-01-29T17:27:00.000+08:002007-01-29T17:27:00.000+08:00I'm no longer singaporean so pardon if my comments...I'm no longer singaporean so pardon if my comments are irrelevant. <br /><br />I returned to Singapore recently for a short transit. I was very disappointed by what I saw.<br /><br />Singapore is dirtier, noisier and most shopping malls look like one big pasar malam to me. It felt like a third world than a first world place to me despite the hype.<br /><br />And reading about these homelessness, I feel even sadder. I even met a few salespersons who condemned the government after knowing that I was a "quitter". <br /><br />The humanity index in this country is indeed very dismal if the MPs could take such a stand towards its people. What happened to second chances for everyone? Just because you had profitted once and had a good time, you can't expect to be helped when you are down? <br /><br />It is sad when singaporeans regard each other with such calculative attitude.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-61189209114722706582007-01-29T10:27:00.000+08:002007-01-29T10:27:00.000+08:00There was a news on this homeless issue in ytd's S...There was a news on this homeless issue in ytd's Sunday times. A homeless guy chalked up debts to the HDB because he couldn't meet the monthly payments for ths flat and was evicted. But guess what? He is still being billed for conservancy charges! So his debts keep mounting. Quite ridiculous isn't it?rwuAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-25683664213063929362007-01-28T21:44:00.000+08:002007-01-28T21:44:00.000+08:00And surely you must read about those people last y...And surely you must read about those people last year, who DID own a flat but had nothing to eat? And could not afford electricity? And water? And collected food scraps from garbage heaps and so on?<br /><br />Of course, one alternative is for them to sell their flat. Then they would be homeless. But they WOULD have money to buy food for some time.Gilbert Koh aka Mr Wanghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01027678080233274309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-61831625490076832202007-01-28T21:42:00.000+08:002007-01-28T21:42:00.000+08:00Is my post really so difficult to understand?
"Pr...Is my post really so difficult to understand?<br /><br />"Profit" means that you sold your flat for a higher price than you bought it for.<br /><br />"Profit" doesn't mean that you can afford to buy a new place to stay - especially if you had bought your first flat many years ago. Basically the government no longer builds one-room, two-room & three-room flats.<br /><br />"Profit" also doesn't mean that you don't have to use your money to feed your children; pay school fees; cover medical expenses; purchase food etc. <br /><br />So if you have no job, your "profit" must inevitably run out, whether over the course of six months, one year or two, or three, or four.<br /><br />And yes, certainly some Singaporeans have been employed for that long.Gilbert Koh aka Mr Wanghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01027678080233274309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-27085608293735111402007-01-28T21:02:00.000+08:002007-01-28T21:02:00.000+08:00However I think there are cases of people that sli...However I think there are cases of people that slipped through the welfare net or rather if there is a welfare net. End of the day this people have no cash to make ends meet and as the papers say have negative equity. Means they have debts, hence the govt can be a little more caring than callously saying "homeless by choice" Yeah by choice... No choice you mean. <br /><br />DodoAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-19232669996172354672007-01-28T18:51:00.000+08:002007-01-28T18:51:00.000+08:00I have the impression that anything let over from ...I have the impression that anything let over from the sale of a flat except money from withdrawn from the CPF, loan and interest, associated fees, will be given back as cash to the seller.<br /><br />Also, even if the profit is locked in CPF, it can be used to purchase a bigger flat. It is still money earned although some may argue we do not or may never see that money.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-69621885031132643542007-01-28T15:51:00.000+08:002007-01-28T15:51:00.000+08:00To be logical, putting all the facts, arguements, ...To be logical, putting all the facts, arguements, excuses and whatever aside. I seriously think that even if it is the person's "fault" that he is now homeless. As a citizen, he does warrant more investigation into his matter. Rather than a brushing aside statement saying "Some are homeless are by choice"<br /><br />Mmmmm last I remembered being homeless means.<br /><br />1) No place to stay, hence having to sleep in the streets.<br />2) No toliet or bathing facilities<br />3) No place to store personal belongings.<br />4) No mailing address for any documentation or letters. <br /><br />As for the statement that this people have earned profits from HDB sales.... errrr correct me if I am wrong, I think any sale of the flats, whatever profits go back into CPF right? You dont actually touch the money physically. So where are these people going to get the cash now that they are in financial dire straits? Their so called profits in actually being held by the government. <br /><br />As some have said, the government's job is to look after its citizens and not have the citizens work and sacrifice to look after the government.<br /><br />DodoAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-83934565635378614702007-01-28T02:38:00.000+08:002007-01-28T02:38:00.000+08:00It seems that the problem with some Singaporeans i...It seems that the problem with some Singaporeans is that they cannot imagine people being more unfortunate than they are. True some are financially irresponsible, but not all are, and to paint the same brush for everyone is merely more evidence of the culture of elitism that has pervaded Singapore like a cancerous rot.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-26143381559815502882007-01-27T12:27:00.000+08:002007-01-27T12:27:00.000+08:00Mr Wang,
Yes, fully agree on your remarks except...Mr Wang, <br /><br />Yes, fully agree on your remarks except wouldn't be so certain about that coming from the only Maliki..! It could be from "blind-sighted" fellow singaporeans who had so chosen their views to be muddled even in the face of the clear records and messages staring at them! <br /><br />Also, surmise that should there be more focus arising on this topic in coming days, there would be stories run in the media that depicts how right and inevitable the decision had to be and how wrong and deserving those two fellow singaporean souls ended up been homeless, by their own preference....If this guesswork turns out right, it further confirms that the same style goes again!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-55876708797531338562007-01-27T11:20:00.000+08:002007-01-27T11:20:00.000+08:00Don't get distracted. Focus, please. Maliki is try...Don't get distracted. Focus, please. Maliki is trying to distract you.<br /><br />Would ANYONE choose to be homeless?Gilbert Koh aka Mr Wanghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01027678080233274309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-42598031948563859532007-01-27T09:25:00.000+08:002007-01-27T09:25:00.000+08:00if u can't qualify, there must be a reason given.
...if u can't qualify, there must be a reason given.<br /><br />as of now, none of us are any wiser what those reasons are besides 'they don't qualify'<br /><br />so don't go assuming it's because they had previously bought and sold a hdb flat<br /><br />when we get all the facts, then it makes more sense to debate on the merits or lack ofAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-43947005166375798742007-01-26T23:32:00.000+08:002007-01-26T23:32:00.000+08:00My..my.. anon 10pm Jan 26 ...
I bring your atten...My..my.. anon 10pm Jan 26 ... <br /><br />I bring your attention to the two cases queried at parliament. Here, I quote:<br /><br />"The first person, said Dr Maliki, made substantial profits through the sale of two subsidised flats. When he applied for a subsidised Housing Board rental flat, he was rejected because he could not meet the eligibility conditions.<br /><br />The second person, added Dr Maliki, defaulted on the mortgage payments on his flat, which he had purchased from the open market with a housing grant. When the bank repossessed his flat, he applied to HDB for a subsidised rental flat, but was also rejected because he could not meet the eligibility conditions"<br /><br />Wonder what had happened then that despite the stated qualifications <br />(http://www.hdb.gov.sg/__48257038002F46F1.nsf/0/21AA51D066A5DDA3482570970040BE8E?Open&Highlight=2,rental) they are still homeless ??? As you have so written, we could all certainly presume that these two persons must be able to qualify too what .., perhaps just need only to afford the "slightly" higher rental rate! The parliament statements are clear that at end of the day, they could not meet the HDB eligibility conditions, or in another cannot qualify. Could the reason be that they are criminal or non-lawful citizens at point of application ?? Eh,,eh, nobody knows about that.. Or..could it be they are "3rd-Timer or 4th-Timer" and hence cannot qualify and therefore they had instead chosen to be homeless? <br /><br />Baffling..really baffling ...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-38038562142399679262007-01-26T22:00:00.000+08:002007-01-26T22:00:00.000+08:00Did anyone even bother to read the qualifications ...Did anyone even bother to read the qualifications required to rent from the HDB ???<br /><br />You ARE allowed to rent from the HDB even if you've both bought AND sold a flat bought directly from the HDB.<br /><br />You simply qualify under the more expensive Second Timer.<br /><br />Which although more expensive compared to First Timer is still cheap compared to renting from the open market.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-90549309851376651592007-01-26T13:04:00.000+08:002007-01-26T13:04:00.000+08:00They're running out of creative excuses. Few years...They're running out of creative excuses. Few years ago they said jobless Singaporeans are "jobless by choice". Now they're shifting the blame once again by saying the homeless are "homeless by choice". <br /><br />This Ma-lackey Assman can't even be original.<br /><br /><a href="http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y29/vnc2005/Swiss_Standard_of_Living/">Swiss Standard of LEEving</a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-91999084524519700972007-01-26T11:06:00.000+08:002007-01-26T11:06:00.000+08:00Anonymous January 26, 2007 12:07 AM
Exactly my s...Anonymous January 26, 2007 12:07 AM <br /><br />Exactly my sentiment. But no matter what, I will not get married for the sake of buying that flat direct from the HDB.<br /><br />After being treated like scum, that will be another reason for singles to vote for opposition parties :DAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com