Two blocks in Toa Payoh to be developed, and more than 400 households will be relocated.

In Toa Payoh, more than 400 households that were renting out two blocks have left as part of plans to renovate older estates and provide better homes.

Housing Board said on Sunday that the relocation of 414 households located in Lorong 5 blocks 29 and 31, Toa Payoh, will begin in 2021, and take two years. The last tenants are expected to leave in May 2023.

Lentor Hills Residences

Around half of households chose to rent flats at Toa Payoh. Meanwhile, 22 percent moved to Bidadari, a nearby public housing estate that has 12 Build-To Order projects.

The board stated that another 20 percent moved into rental apartments in other cities, and the rest of the households bought their own flat or did not need a HDB rental apartment.

Urban Redevelopment Authority masterplan zones the site for residential purposes.

The building has a plot ratio of 4 which means that it can be built much higher than existing blocks. On the same plot, two HDB buildings are next to four HDB towers that have been completed in 2018.

Demolishing the two buildings located behind Dragon Playground.

HDB stated that tenants received $2,500 as a rehousing grant to assist with the costs of moving. Rent credits of $2,500 were provided to tenants who moved into towns further away.

HDB said that those who are ready to purchase their first apartment will receive a relocation grant of $15,000 on top other housing subsidies they may be eligible for.

HDB officers went to the tenants’ homes to inform them of their options for rehousing and to discuss benefits.

Thirteen volunteers of the Singapore University of Social Sciences Gerontology Student and Alumni Community assisted 50-60 vulnerable seniors with their relocation, which included the inspection of the new home and the collection of the keys.