Housing Relief Packages for Customers
Housing Authority and Public Rental Board are offering relief packages for customers impacted by COVID-19.
Minister for Housing Premila Kumar made the announcement yesterday. “The welfare of our customers is of utmost priority and this decision has been made in order to provide relief to them especially those who have lost their jobs, had to take reduced pay or worked few days a week,” Ms Kumar said.
“While these relief options will provide temporary relief, they are likely the total amount owing on a loan.”
For Housing Authority, customers have been given four options:
■ Postponing loan repayment; a repayment holiday where principal and interest payment is deferred
■ Extending the term of their loans and reducing the amount of each payment; ■ Extending contract term and postponing debt repayments (repayment holiday); and
■ Interest only repayment
For Public Rental Board, tenants can apply for rental payment deferment for next three months.
To prevent people lining up at Housing Authority offices, customers are being encouraged to make online applications or drop applications at the offices. The commencement of this assistance would be advertised soon.
Housing Authority currently provides loans to 2772 customers; the PRB has 2772 customers whilst PRB has 1625 flats for rent.
Ms Kumar said stringent procedures would be in place to approve assistance was truly given to people who deserve it.