Average Waiting Time for BTO Flats in Mature Estates for First- and Second-time Owners, and Applicants who Failed in Past Ballots

Mr Yip Hon Weng asked the Minister for National Development (a) what is the average waiting time for mature estate BTO flat applications for first- and second-timers, as well as other applicants who have failed balloting more than twice; and (b) what are the mean, modal and median number of attempts for non-mature estate BTO flat applications.

Generally, BTO flats in the mature estates are highly sought after by home seekers. Given the high demand and limited supply, not all applicants applying for BTO flats in the mature estates can secure a BTO flat in these areas. It is not meaningful to track the time between the first application and when the applicant books a flat in a mature estate as flat buyers may not apply in consecutive BTO exercises and some may apply for flats in non-mature estates as well.

To meet the high demand for flats in mature estates, HDB has launched more new flats in mature estates in recent years. The proportion of BTO projects in the mature towns and estates increased from 44% in 2017 to 55% in 2020. Nonetheless, to increase their chances of securing a BTO flat, home seekers may wish to consider applying for flats in the non-mature estates. First-timer families who are unsuccessful in two or more applications for BTO flats in the non-mature estates will receive an additional ballot chance in their subsequent application in the non-mature estates. Between 2019 and the third quarter of 2020, the mean number of attempts by first-timer families who were successful in their flat applications was 1.3, and the mode and median number of attempts were both 1.

Home seekers with preferences for specific locational or flat attributes may also consider buying a resale flat on the open market, where eligible first-timer families can receive up to $160,000 in housing grants.