Debated in Parliament on 8 Nov 2022.
Mr Leong Mun Wai asked the Minister for National Development (a) how is the ballot process for first-time applicants of a HDB BTO flat randomised; and (b) how does the ballot algorithm factor in the various parameters of household status, ethnic integration quota and all other priority schemes.
To ensure that the shortlisting of eligible Build-To-Order (BTO) flat applicants is impartially and efficiently done, the Housing and Development Board (HDB) uses computerised balloting.
Firstly, the computer ballot randomly shortlists BTO applicants who qualify for priority schemes that do not differentiate between first-timers (FTs) and second-timers (STs). Such priority schemes include the Third Child Priority Scheme and the Tenants' Priority Scheme.
Secondly, the computer ballot randomly shortlists BTO applicants who qualify for priority schemes that differentiate between FTs and STs. Priority schemes that apply to FTs include the Parenthood Priority Scheme, while priority schemes that apply to STs include the Assistance Scheme for STs (Divorced/ Widowed Parents). Priority schemes that apply to both FTs and STs, but have differing quotas for FTs and STs, include the Married Child Priority Scheme.
Lastly, the computer ballot randomly shortlists the rest of the BTO applicants according to the remaining allocation quotas available for FTs and STs. The computer ballot also adheres to the Ethnic Integration Policy quotas throughout the process of shortlisting BTO applicants to be queued within the flat supply. BTO applicants shortlisted within the flat supply are subject to a random assignment of queue positions for flat selection.
Every computer ballot is subjected to rigorous audits before and after the shortlisting process by both internal and external auditors. These include audits on the ballot algorithms and verification of the ballot results.
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