By Tan Hui Yee, Correspondent

THE financial gloom has barely lifted, and economic uncertainties still cloud the horizon, and yet prices of resale HDB flats have hit an all-time high.

Home-seekers priced out of resale flats have jammed queues for new flats, prompting the Housing Board to ramp up its supply of new flats for the coming months.

National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan has assured the public that there are enough affordable flats for everyone, but stressed that home-seekers have to manage their expectations about getting a home in a prime location.

The voices of discontent, however, refuse to go away. Critics have accused the HDB of profiting from the sale of flats and blamed the growing number of permanent residents for pushing up home prices.

Just how valid are these views? Insight scrutinises the statistics and asks the experts to weigh in on six of the most common complaints.

	Are permanent residents driving up resale flat prices? As a PR cannot buy a new flat directly from the HDB, his cheapest option is a resale flat.
	Are investors pushing up prices of resale flats? Investors looking to invest in a flat could either rent it, or sell it off for a quick buck.
	Are new HDB flats really subsidised? HDB should publicly disclose the cost breakdown of new HDB flats to quell sceptics.
	Are new flats affordable? The key is in the calculation of what is 'affordable'.
	Is $8,000 income ceiling too low? As resale flat prices soar, calls for the HDB to revise its $8,000 household income ceiling have been going up too.
	Are leftover flats really 'undesirable'? Selective buyers may pass over on less desirable flats - unless the price is right.

This article was first published in The Straits Times.