Proposal to Review Eligibility Conditions to Retain Matrimonial Flat upon Divorce

Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked the Minister for National Development with regard to the retention of a matrimonial flat upon divorce (a) whether HDB will consider reviewing its prescribed eligibility conditions to allow a divorcee below 35 years old and without children from the marriage, to retain their matrimonial flat; (b) if not, why not; and (c) how many of such cases have been handled by HDB annually over the last five years.

To prioritise our limited public housing supply for households with the greatest needs, such as larger families who tend to need more living space, singles are currently allowed to own HDB flats on their own from age 35. Divorcees without children can thus retain their matrimonial flat alone if they are at least 35 years old. If they are below age 35, they can retain their flat if they include a family member, such as either of their parents, to form an eligible family nucleus.

That said, we recognise that circumstances differ from person to person. Hence, HDB does allow divorcees below age 35 without children to retain their matrimonial flat alone, on a case-by-case basis, for instance if they are not able to form an eligible family nucleus to retain their flat and are not able to stay with their family members. From 2016 to 2020, HDB approved 37 such cases on average each year.