Ability of Divorced Couples to Afford HDB Flats after Sale of Matrimonial Home

The following question stood in the name of Mr Sharael Taha –

To ask the Minister for National Development (a) what percentage of divorced couples are able to afford their own HDB flats individually after the sale of their matrimonial HDB flats; (b) whether the Ministry has a further breakdown of this data by age group and gender; and (c) for divorcees who are unable to afford their own HDB flats individually, whether the Ministry has a breakdown of the data of lodging solutions for these individuals.

The Second Minister for National Development (Ms Indranee Rajah) (for the Minister for National Development): Mr Speaker, from 2019 to 2021, about 12,800 divorcees bought a resale flat or booked a new flat, either with their children or on their own. Of these, about 60% were females and about 70% of them were below 50 years old. As HDB does not track individuals after the sale of their HDB flat, we are unable to determine if these divorcees sold a matrimonial flat previously.

Divorcees who are unable to afford an HDB flat may consider renting from the open market or staying with family or friends. If they have no housing options and family support, they may apply for public rental housing. From 2019 to 2021, HDB approved about 2,800 requests from divorcees for public rental flats. Divorcees may also approach HDB if they require further assistance or advice on their housing options.