HDB disputes claims by group that raised funds for family facing eviction from flat, makes police report
The Housing Board has made a police report over claims by a volunteer group that raised funds for a family facing eviction because the family couldn't pay the rent.
Stomper Bong warned against donating to the group, Project Awareness, as HDB has disputed those claims.
According to its Facebook page, Project Awareness is a social initiative group founded by a local singer-songwriter named Elson Soh in 2013.
Project Awareness had posted on Facebook about a 80-year-old woman, her nine-year-old granddaughter and seven-year-old grandson who were facing eviction unless they are able to pay their outstanding rent of $1,500 by "next Wednesday".
A photo of a notice to quit (NTQ) letter with the HDB letterhead was also shared.
"The family is now reaching out for help and hopes to raise at least $4,000 to clear their immediate debts and essential expenses," said the post, which included a PayNow UEN and a DBS bank account number.
The post has since been deleted by Facebook.
On April 22, HDB posted on it own Facebook page: "We have checked our records and established that there are no recent cases of HDB public rental tenants matching the profile described in the post.
"The wordings in the NTQ letter in the image also do not resemble any recent NTQ letters issued by HDB.
"We note that the photo used in the post is the same one from a post that was circulated in 2022, which had also sought contributions for a purported case of vulnerable family with housing issues.
"We are trying to reach out to the project organiser to clarify the facts, particularly whether the family referred to in the post are tenants of an HDB public rental flat."
The board added: "Meanwhile, we advise the public to exercise caution and carry out checks when contributing to fundraising efforts by third-party organisations."
HDB later updated its post that it has not received a reply from Project Awareness to its email requesting more details about the woman and her grandchildren.
The board said: "As we have not been able to ascertain the veracity of what was posted online, which had been used to solicit donations from members of public using a letter with an HDB letterhead, we have therefore lodged a police report."
In response, Project Awareness posted: "We have already reached out to HDB as well as the beneficiary to clarify the situation. As of now we are waiting for HDB to respond to this case."
On April 23, the group said in another post that it would be ceasing all fund-raising activities until further notice.
This is not the first time that Project Awareness is facing controversy.
In November 2013, the Commissioner of Charities (COC) imposed a restriction order on Project Awareness.
With this order, Project Awareness will be able to carry on with its fund-raising efforts as long as it has proper systems and controls in place to ensure compliance with regulations.
Also, a man named William Soh Sim Song must not be involved and any bank account for the receipt of proceeds from any fund-raising must be in the name of Project Awareness and no other.
The COC's Office established that William Soh was substantially involved in the management of Project Awareness, including its fund-raising appeals, and found that there was a lack of proper internal controls with incomplete records and documentation. William Soh is also an undischarged bankrupt.
The COC said it would work with Project Awareness to address the various issues identified to improve its management, particularly in its management of donations.
