Debated in Parliament on 11 May 2021.
Mr Yip Hon Weng asked the Minister for National Development (a) in the past three years, how many people applied for HDB BTO flats under the Married Child Priority Scheme (MCPS) and Multi-Generation Priority Scheme (MGPS); (b) how many are successful; (c) whether the Ministry will consider a priority scheme for parents whose children are studying in schools near the BTO project; and (d) what is the recourse for those who fail multiple ballots but have pressing reasons to apply in certain estates.
Under the Married Child Priority Scheme, or MCPS, up to 30% of the flat supply is set aside for first-timer families, while up to 15% of the flat supply is set aside for second-timer families.
Under the Multi-Generation Priority Scheme, or MGPS, a married couple and their parents can make a joint application for two new flats in the same BTO project and enjoy priority allocation. The parents can book a 2-room Flexi or 3-room flat, and up to 15% of these flats are set aside for MGPS parent applicants. A corresponding number of 2-room flexi or larger flats is set aside for the married couple applicants.
For the completed BTO flat selection exercises in 2018, 2019 and in February and August 2020, HDB received about 8,900, 11,800, and 12,700 applications respectively under the MCPS. Of these applicants, 5,300, 5,400 and 4,800 were invited to book a flat. For the same period, HDB received about 400, 700 and 900 applications under the MGPS. Of these applicants, 400, 600 and 600 were invited to book a flat.
First-timer couples with a child aged 18 years old or younger can qualify for priority under the Parenthood Priority Scheme, while families with three or more children can qualify for priority under the Third Child Priority Scheme. Given these existing priority schemes to cater to families with children, HDB does not intend to introduce a priority scheme for parents whose children study in schools near a BTO project.
To improve their chances of securing a flat, applicants may wish to apply for a flat in a project with a lower application rate, or in a non-mature estate. First-timer families who have not been invited to book a flat after submitting two or more BTO applications in the non-mature estates will get an additional ballot chance for each subsequent BTO application in the non-mature estates. Flat buyers who wish to live in a particular neighbourhood or secure a flat sooner may wish to consider purchasing a resale flat. With the enhancements implemented in 2019, first-timer buyers can now qualify for generous housing grants of up to $160,000 for resale flat purchases.
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