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COE, HDB, GST, and the affordability of SG60.

 COE, HDB, GST, and the affordability of SG60.


COE is certainly not an affordable item for the poor, for the struggling small businesses. There is no alternative, so far, the system is the best we can find with no further improvement.


COE is fair. It is based on your affordability.  No money, no COE. 


HDB is fair. It is based on your affordability.  High income, no subsidy, no grants. Low income, grants and subsidies will be provided.   


For the past 60 years, we see the HDB becoming unaffordable. No more cheap public housing. Yet, the government still claims it is affordable. Maybe to those who have big CPF savings, it is affordable. But if you are earning near to the bottom 20%, you will need grants, subsidy to get over. So, it is still affordable, overall, as the government claims. 


GST has no affordable issue. Everyone pays for it.  With discounts, vouchers, subsidies, cheap meals, we temporarily solve the GST problem.  


This is the progress of SG60, high per capita income, high CPF contributions,  low birth rate, better education, and the new definition of affordability, covering 100% population for GST, 80%+ for HDB and exclusive few for COE.  

    

Who defines affordability actually? You or the government.  Everyone has its own difficulties. Some have no difficulty at all. Some have one, two or even all three difficulties, GST, HDB and COE. 

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