Placing Applicants for BTO Flats on Queue System Instead of Ballot System after Three Unsuccessful Attempts

Ms Ng Ling Ling asked the Minister for National Development for families seeking to downgrade in 2019-2020 and apply for smaller BTO flats (a) what are the percentages that succeeded on the first ballot, second ballot and third ballot; and (b) whether the Ministry will consider putting such applicants on a queue system instead of a ballot system if they fail to have a successful ballot after three attempts.

While greater priority is given to first-timer applicants in HDB’s Build-To-Order (BTO) exercises, HDB does set aside part of the BTO supply for second-timer families. For example, second-timer families can benefit from priority schemes like the Assistance Scheme for Second-Timers, which helps divorced or widowed parents who are buying 2-room Flexi or 3-room flats in the non-mature estates, or the Married Child Priority Scheme, which helps married children and their parents live near or with each other.

For the BTO exercises in 2019, about 3,500 second-timer families applied to downgrade to a smaller flat, of whom about 1,400 were successful. Among the successful applicants, 91%, 6% and 2% succeeded on their first, second and third attempt respectively.

For the February 2020 BTO exercise, about 300 of around 1,200 second-timer families who applied to downgrade to a smaller flat were successful. Of these, 90%, 7% and 2% succeeded on their first, second and third attempt respectively. Flat selection for the other BTO exercises in 2020 is still ongoing.

Besides applying for a BTO flat, second-timer families with an urgent need to downgrade to a smaller flat can also apply for one online at almost any time of the year, through the open booking of flats. They will be allocated a flat booking appointment on a first-come-first-served basis, which may be as early as the next working day.

Alternatively, they can consider buying a resale flat on the open market. There is a wide range of resale flats available in terms of flat type, price and location. These flats are generally ready for immediate occupation, and there is no resale levy payable unlike when buying a second subsidised flat from HDB.

For applicants with extenuating circumstances who need further assistance, HDB can assess their situation on a case-by-case basis, and see how best to help them.