5 homeowners at Geylang Lorong 3 yet to find replacement homes despite Dec 31 lease expiry

SINGAPORE — While the majority of homeowners at a residential site in Geylang, which will be returned to the Government by the end of this month, have found replacement homes, five have yet to do so, the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) said on Thursday (Dec 3). 

Of the five, four have taken up the option of renting a Housing and Development Board (HDB) flat temporarily while one owner has made alternative arrangements, the agency said in a media release.

Out of the 191 private terrace houses along Geylang Lorong 3, owners of 32 units have finalised their living arrangements although six of them will be living in HDB interim rental flats till their new homes are ready. 

The other 149 units are either vacant, used to accommodate foreign workers, or used for religious activities. 

In 2017, the Government announced that the two-hectare plot of land at Geylang would be returned to the State once its 60-year lease runs out by the end of 2020. 

The area has been earmarked for public housing. 

SLA said it has been engaging with the homeowners since then with an officer assigned to each unit to guide the homeowners in finding their replacement homes. 

For units occupied by foreign workers, SLA has worked with the Ministry of Manpower to urge their employers to relocate them. 

Employers have indicated that their workers will be relocated before the lease expires, said SLA. 

Out of the 16 units currently used for religious purposes, SLA said 13 have either made relocation plans or have decided to wind up.

The remaining three units are still reviewing their options, such as sharing the same facility with an existing religious organisation or renting a commercial or industrial property. 

SLA said these religious organisations can seek help from members of the National Steering Committee on Racial and Religious Harmony to relocate and house the altars and deities temporarily while they consider long-term options.