Barring private owners from HDB market is the right call

There is a difference between a home, which is where one lives, and an investment, where one puts money to grow. (“Unfair that retirees with private property cannot buy HDB flats”; Nov 24). The Housing and Development Board rightly bars anyone who can afford a private property from applying for a subsidised flat. The investment choice of how one grows one’s money is one’s own business.

Investments come in many forms: HDB flats cannot be used as investments, but as homes.

HDB dwellers may one day have enough to invest in private property, but remain in their original flats, unlike those who start off with a private property, which they insist on retaining, thus disqualifying them from owning an HDB flat. I hope it is not being suggested that those who start off being able to afford only HDB flats cannot continue staying in them when their situations improve.

The argument that the HDB’s policy must apply both ways for private and public property owners does not hold water, as the circumstances of the two parties are different at the time of the application for the HDB flat. Having bought a flat and with good financial management, HDB dwellers may have accumulated enough wealth to invest. To restrict them from investing in private property, while allowing private property owners to do so, would be unfair.