I’m Laura and I’m 47 years old. I’m divorced, separate. I have been living here almost 5 years, since this building was built. Previously I did stay at HDB 4-room when I’m married, but when I’m single I applied for rented. Downgrade ah. Because since I divorced ah, I cannot pay the 4-room flat, so I was being forced to sell away. Then I said to the HDB give me 1 room, at least 1 flat rental or what la, because that time my first daughter, I think, secondary, then second daughter also still primary, very small small one. Then they said cannot. They said you must give back then the money you give, from the selling flat you rent la. Renting a flat, open market with 4 small kids not easy. You, the owner inside ah, they don’t like noisy noisy, they don’t like messy messy, so I have to rent 1 whole flat. You know how much already? 2000. Per month! So all the money gone. Yeah. Then rented is not for whole here like that. 6 months there, then chase away. Go another house. Rent another house for 6 months, then go another for 2 and the half months. I want house. My main thing I want house. I go MP. I go Toa Payoh, the headquarter to see the big officer, also cannot help me. I write letter, also cannot help me.

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“Were they very strict?”

 

Very strict. Protocol. They must follow protocol. After 2 and the half years, then you can apply for rented house. Then I tell them ah, because like me ah I got no parents. Like that la. Must be more lenient. Case to case basis la. Right or not. Like my case that time I asked, I begging you know. No house you know. Also cannot help. Procedure. Protocol. Always say like that. Like I told you la, I really really no money to pay. Really no place to stay. I write letter, every week I write letter, then after 6 months they give me sharing, at last. Like 1 flat sharing with other family. They call like interim… Interim sharing, while you waiting for the rental flat. That one I also begging you know. Writing writing writing, until don’t know what to say also.

 

“Oh I see. So how do you find this place? Do you like here?”

 

So far there’s no problem la. Normal la. If fighting, quarrelling, they all normal la. But so far they never, my neighbour all very good one. They never bother, but we did talk to each other, once a while. Almost here all oldies, auntie auntie. Hang out no so la. Because the auntie beside here no cooking. Then sometime ah the friend give rice or what ah, then go my house, auntie auntie, this one ah no cook no cook. Also cannot speak, Malay cannot speak, 一点一点 (a little a little) ah, take here take there I understand also la. Makan makan boy makan boy. Then sometime I cook extra ah, I see she not working, I give la. Like that la. Only like that only. Hanging around, I don’t feel like, I don’t like so. Sometime the auntie auntie downstairs, I don’t like ah. I mean like hello okay la.

 

Then some more here, the transportation also good la. Easy to go anywhere.

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“Oh. Are you working?”

 

Working. Weekend I did work as a field warden. You know, taking care of, Singapore sports council they booked the badminton to play under ActiveSG, so I have to take care of the athletes, open the gate, the net. Security, something like that la. Cleaner, everything there. Weekdays also. Depends ah. Because I work based on cash basis. You work, got money. But weekend is permanent one.

 

“Ah I see. Okay. May I ask do you have any worries or concerns or challenges in your life?”

 

Yeah, stigmatization and alienation last time. But now I don’t bother. Last time so many things because of my ex. Because he, to speak the truth la, he is a drug addict sometimes, in and out of jail. They criticize my children, talk bad. In front me no, but like behind me between neighbors la. Now it is fine. Nowadays I don’t really talk about my background. Just don’t open up everything to them. Hahaha.

 

Now ah, have arrears. Still have. Still have to pay. Housing also got arrears. The bills also got arrears. Scared if they take the housing away but officers say they won’t do that. But for electricity bills, need to pay otherwise no electricity, no water. Then candles. I already experienced this already so i don’t want those to happen again. Rental is 140 but I paid 200. To cover the arrear. The top up is to cover my arrears. But the late penalty charge will keep increasing. Now the penalty charge is very scary. Keep on increasing. You pay late, charge is a lot or don’t pay then it’s worse. Bill also got interest. You need to cover more then no more penalty. No more interest.

 

Cost of living is very high. need to cover back here and there. Singapore very hard to save. But what to do. Like when you have emergency. That time I went to KK hospital. They asked me for 75 dollars. But I don’t have money. Only 25 dollars. Then they said never mind 25 dollars are okay. Yeah then the rest all bill. Hahaha. No subsidy. The bill will come. If you don’t pay, they will send you reminder letter. Still haven’t settled.

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*names have been modified for anonymity purposes