Appeals by Persons who have Obtained BTO Flats more than Twice in Five Years

Mr Gan Thiam Poh asked the Minister for National Development (a) how many appeals have been received from applicants or joint applicants for BTO flats who have obtained BTO flats more than twice in the last five years; (b) how many of such appeals have been approved; and (c) whether the Ministry will review and revise the existing schemes to accommodate such applicants and allow a conditional third chance to be given to such applicants.

All eligible Singaporeans can purchase two subsidised BTO flats from HDB, and they have to pay a resale levy for the second purchase.  We have also allowed seniors aged 55 and above to buy a flat from HDB for a third time, but this is limited to a 2-room Flexi flat on a short lease. We are unable to extend housing subsidies for non-elderly households to buy a third new flat, as this would not be fiscally sustainable.

However, HDB does receive such appeals and will consider each one on a case-by-case basis. Over the last five years, HDB received about 790 appeals to buy a third subsidised flat. About 150 were approved, based on exceptional circumstances. In particular, if an appellant and his/her spouse are buying a subsidised flat together, and the spouse is a first-timer, HDB may consider making an exception on account of the fact that the spouse has not yet taken up any housing subsidy.