Debated in Parliament on 24 Feb 2021.
Mr Christopher de Souza asked the Minister for National Development what are the restrictions on stateless persons attempting to buy or rent a HDB flat and whether such restrictions can be eased.
To prioritise our limited public housing supply for Singapore Citizens (SCs), additional restrictions are placed on Singapore Permanent Residents (SPRs) and non-residents who wish to buy an HDB flat or rent one from HDB. We do not differentiate stateless persons from other SPRs and non-residents.
Stateless persons who are SPRs thus have the same access to HDB flats as other SPRs. For example, if they can form an eligible family nucleus with an adult SC, they can buy a new or resale HDB flat (with housing grants if applicable), or rent a flat from HDB, provided that the SC is listed as one of the flat applicants and the family meets the prevailing eligibility conditions. SPR families without an SC member can only buy a resale flat on the open market, if they have been SPRs for at least three years and meet the other eligibility conditions.
Stateless persons who are non-residents cannot buy an HDB flat or rent one from HDB, but can live in an HDB flat as an occupier if they are part of an SC or SPR family that is eligible to buy or rent a flat.
Nonetheless, for stateless persons who face genuine housing difficulties or have no other housing options, HDB will assess their appeals on a case-by-case basis, to understand their unique circumstances and work with relevant agencies such as MSF to see how best to assist them.
PAPERCUTS