Should government provide reverse mortgage to the elderly ones?

@scheng1 (24649)
Singapore
December 1, 2015 7:39am CST
The Taiwan government has announced that it will provide reverse mortgage arrangement to a certain group of elderly ones. That means the government will buy the house from the owner, and instead of taking over the house now, it allows the owner to stay until death. In the meanwhile, the government will give them a monthly payment to cope with the expenses. After the death of the owner, the government will take over the ownership of the house. This reverse mortgage scheme is opened to those elderly ones without a living kin. In most countries, the banks provide the reverse mortgage. The reverse mortgage scheme is not just for those old people without relatives. When the owners die, the bank will sell the house, deduct the amount paid out over the years, and give the balance to the relatives.
2 people like this
2 responses
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
5 Dec 15
I am always scared of such things, but if you have no family I could see it being a way to afford to stay in your home
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
5 Dec 15
I think even if you have a family, a reverse mortgage is a good plan. I think by the time you reach the age to get payment from reverse mortgage, your children will be old enough to get their own house. If they still stick around, and leech on you, then selling the house to the government will force them to think about getting their own place.
1 person likes this
• Centralia, Missouri
5 Dec 15
@scheng1 I am just afraid that there is a catch or the government will use this to force ppl out of their homes too early or something
@UmiNoor (4521)
• Malaysia
11 Dec 15
@Jessicalynnt I don't think a government would be so heartless as to evict an elderly person. Remember this scheme is only offered to the elderly who may have only a few years left to live so the government may get back the house within the next decade or so.
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@UmiNoor (4521)
• Malaysia
11 Dec 15
Yes, this is what a responsible government should do instead of having the elderly be left in the street to fend for themselves or in homes where they may be mistreated.
1 person likes this