A merger between the Housing Authority and the Public Rental Board (PRB) will save the Government money, says Minister for Housing and Local Government Premila Kumar.

While speaking on the Report on Annual Review of the Public Rental Board 2016 on Monday, she said there were certain services carried out by both organisations that could be consolidated.

“For example, customer service, finance, human resource, credit management and information technology,” she said.

“The Housing Authority can provide additional services in legal, internal audit and risk and housing development.

“It is not prudent for PRB to engage in construction of rental flats on land given by Housing Authority when the expertise lies with Housing Authority.

Based on economies of scale, the cost of construction can come down if Housing Authority builds rental flats that can be managed by PRB.”

She said the ministry had identified potential business partners with new technologies to work with the two agencies.

“The next step is for these institutions to engage with appropriate partners that will bring in new technology and innovative financial models to increase the housing stock.

“Generally, every country tries to look after the vulnerable population and that is what we are doing here. I also agree that Housing Authority, PRB or Ministry of Housing cannot provide the housing solution. We need to depend or we must rely on the private sector and that is what this Government is doing.”