'People are feeling the middle-class squeeze and we want to see how we can help them,' said Mr Zainul Abidin Rasheed (second from right). -- ST PHOTO: CHEW SENG KIM
THE North East Community Development Council (CDC) is extending its assistance schemes to more residents, including professionals.
Residents living in Aljunied, Tampines and other areas in the North East whose per capita income is up to $500 per month now qualify for the CDC programmes.
Previously, only those with per capita monthly incomes of $400 or less were able to take advantage of the schemes.
'People are feeling the middle-class squeeze and we want to see how we can help them,' said Mr Zainul Abidin Rasheed, Mayor of the CDC on Wednesday.
More people, including white-collar workers, have also knocked on the CDC's doors for help in the past few months.
To help retrenched professionals, the CDC will refer them to recruitment agencies.
Unemployed and retrenched residents can also apply for various CDC schemes, including one which gives each school-going child $30 a month for six months to help defray their transport costs.
The CDC will spend $3 million on its various assistance schemes this year, double the amount spent last year.
The North East CDC is the second CDC, after the South West CDC, to announce more assistance packages to help its residents survive the recent financial upheaval.
