THE Housing Board is clearing nine blocks comprising rental flats, a food centre and a market in Hougang Avenue 3 and 7 - most of which are located in the opposition ward of Hougang.
In a statement on Thursday, the HDB said that this is 'part of ongoing plans to rejuvenate older estates and to facilitate better land use.'
The affected properties in blocks 3,4, 8 to 11, 11A to 14 in Hougang Avenue 3 and 7 are about 33 years old.The cluster comprises includes 854 rental flats, 42 rental shops and eating houses, and 199 hawker and market stalls.
The HDB said that eligible tenants and stallholders will receive the standard clearance benefits and will be given appropriate assistance when necessary.
The site occupied by blocks 12 to 14 in Hougang Avenue 7 will be put up for sale for private homes in the second half of 2009. The remaining land freed up will be developed for residential or commercial use after 2010, depending on prevailing market conditions.
Rental flat tenants who are eligible will be given priority allocation of new flats under balloting, or new Build-to-Order flats when launched, studio apartments or two and three-room units if they are available.
