Debated in Parliament on 9 Jul 2018.
Mr Zainal Sapari asked the Minister for National Development (a) what is the current number of families that are successful in their application for a HDB rental flat but are awaiting a vacant unit; (b) whether there has been an improvement in the waiting period for vacant rental flats; and (c) what is the targeted number of rental flat tenants that will be placed under the Fresh Start Housing Scheme within the next three years.
There are currently about 450 families who were successful in their application and are waiting to be allocated a public rental flat.
At this juncture, families can be allocated a rental flat in about two months from the time of their application, if they are not particular about location. This has fallen significantly from a peak of 21 months in 2008. Some waiting time is inevitable as the Housing and Development Board (HDB) needs to assess each application. The allocation of rental flats is also subject to considerations, such as the household's locational preferences, the quotas under the Ethnic Integration Policy, and the setting aside of vacant flats to house existing tenants whose rental blocks are due for redevelopment.
The Fresh Start Housing Scheme was launched in December 2016 to help second-timer families with young children living in public rental housing to own a home again. As of May 2018, 70 households have been emplaced on the scheme. While we do not have a target, we will continue to work with all eligible families who are keen on home ownership, and we hope to see another 100 households emplaced in the next three years.
PAPERCUTS