Not fair to price land nominally for public housing and charge market price for land for private housing

You have heard this: land used by HDB should be valued at a nominal fee because it is for PUBLIC housing.

Except that PUBLIC housing in Singapore is at a level and concept unseen in other countries.

In other parts of the world, public housing is subsidised housing reserved for the poorest segment of society. They are usually rental flats situated in poor neighbourhoods with little amenities and poorly maintained.

In Singapore, public housing is housing the whole nation to give Singaporeans a stake in the nation, and to give a quality lifestyle that meets the aspirations of Singaporeans.

The vast majority of home owners are hardly poor as evidenced by the cars they drive. No one raises an eyebrow when they see a Lexus or BMW parked in a HDB car park.

Even those making the argument for land to be valued nominally are themselves well-to-do with good jobs.

85% of households in Singapore live in public housing which boasts of beautiful features, transport network and amenities not inferior to Orchard Road.

How does one argue for land to be valued nominally for 85% of households and expect the other 15% to pay market price for land?

Where is the equity?