I REFER to Thursday's report, 'Hard to get that first flat? Not so'.

In the past weeks, there has been a fair amount of negative sentiment against the Housing Board over flat availability.

I urge Singaporeans not to forget what the HDB has done for so long for which we should be thankful.

Most Singaporeans have forgotten that HDB was set up to solve the gargantuan problem of providing high-standard public housing for all.

HDB has worked hard. How can we say it has done a bad job? Do we live in villages like our forefathers?

Second, are HDB flats really unaffordable?

If one compares buying an HDB flat with buying a condominium or landed property, the cash needed upfront for an HDB flat is minimal. A buyer who sets aside a few hundred dollars a month for a few years will have no problem with the down payment.

There is no excuse, especially for young professionals and executives. HDB also has grants and comprehensive loan schemes with interest rates lower than market standards.

To meet rising expectations and the desire for choice, HDB offers a myriad of options in new homes.

Statistics revealed by National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan show that a large number of Singaporeans allocated a flat reject the offer. Surely, Singaporeans are spoilt for choice.

The only identifiable issue is thus over-selectiveness by some individuals.

Some do not wish to live on a low floor, others refuse anything less than a brand-new flat.

A solution is private property, but with greater freedom of choice comes an understandable price premium.

Some Singaporeans have short memories. They do not remember being offered flats by HDB on multiple occasions and tend to overestimate the number of applications.

I am sure the figures are well documented.

Thank you, HDB, for your hard work all these years.

Dr Lee Kin Weng

This article was first published in The Straits Times.