Priority for Larger BTO Flats for Families with Children

Debated in Parliament on 14 Apr 2014.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Mr Gan Thiam Poh proposed giving priority to families with children for larger BTO flats, such as extra ballot chances for couples with two or three children applying for 4-room or larger flats.
The Minister for National Development clarified that HDB already provides priority through the Third Child Priority Scheme and Parenthood Priority Scheme, setting aside fixed quotas for families with children rather than additional ballot chances.
HDB does not restrict priority to specific flat sizes, allowing families to choose based on their budget and needs.
Mr Gan asked about the number of non-first-timer applicants and when HDB could satisfy all of them, to which the Minister responded that the focus is on clearing the first-timer queue and that second-timers have more options like resale flats.
The Minister noted that precise figures for non-first-timer applicants were not recalled, but efforts are ongoing to enhance opportunities as the first-timer queue clears.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Full Transcript

Gan Thiam Poh

Mr Gan Thiam Poh asked the Minister for National Development whether HDB can consider giving priority to families with children in applications for larger BTO flats such that a couple with two children gets an extra chance for a 4-room BTO flat application and a couple with three children gets an extra chance for a BTO flat of four rooms and above.

The Minister for National Development (Mr Khaw Boon Wan)

Madam, we do give priority to families with children in their flat applications through two schemes. First, under the Third Child Priority Scheme, HDB sets aside up to 5% of the flat supply for families with three or more children. Second, under the Parenthood Priority Scheme, HDB sets aside 30% and 50% of the public flat supply in Build-To-Order and Sale of Balance Flats exercises respectively for first-timer families with at least one young child, or who are expecting a child.

Under both schemes, a fixed quota of flats is set aside for these families. This ensures a better chance of success, as compared to giving them more ballot chances.

HDB also does not restrict the priority given to families with children to only 4-room or larger flats. This is to allow them to choose the flat type that best suits their budgets and needs.

Gan Thiam Poh (Pasir Ris-Punggol)

I thank the Minister for his clarification. May I know how many applicants currently in the queue are non-first-timers? When will HDB be able to satisfy all of them?

Khaw Boon Wan

Madam, I used to carry such figures at the top of my head, but now I am unable to recall them. We have largely cleared the queue for first-timers. But the objective to satisfy every second-timer's demand for a new flat is a commitment I cannot make. I have the responsibility to try to meet the demand from first-timers as much as we can.

However, for second-timers, they have options. They already have a flat and they have choices. They can take their time to buy another one, from resale or some other accommodations. As we clear the queue for first-timers, the opportunity to satisfy other applicants with other needs has enhanced.

Page: 35

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Mr Gan Thiam Poh proposed giving priority to families with children for larger BTO flats, such as extra ballot chances for couples with two or three children applying for 4-room or larger flats.
The Minister for National Development clarified that HDB already provides priority through the Third Child Priority Scheme and Parenthood Priority Scheme, setting aside fixed quotas for families with children rather than additional ballot chances.
HDB does not restrict priority to specific flat sizes, allowing families to choose based on their budget and needs.
Mr Gan asked about the number of non-first-timer applicants and when HDB could satisfy all of them, to which the Minister responded that the focus is on clearing the first-timer queue and that second-timers have more options like resale flats.
The Minister noted that precise figures for non-first-timer applicants were not recalled, but efforts are ongoing to enhance opportunities as the first-timer queue clears.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Priority for Larger BTO Flats for Families with Children

Debated in Parliament on 14 Apr 2014.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Mr Gan Thiam Poh proposed giving priority to families with children for larger BTO flats, such as extra ballot chances for couples with two or three children applying for 4-room or larger flats.
The Minister for National Development clarified that HDB already provides priority through the Third Child Priority Scheme and Parenthood Priority Scheme, setting aside fixed quotas for families with children rather than additional ballot chances.
HDB does not restrict priority to specific flat sizes, allowing families to choose based on their budget and needs.
Mr Gan asked about the number of non-first-timer applicants and when HDB could satisfy all of them, to which the Minister responded that the focus is on clearing the first-timer queue and that second-timers have more options like resale flats.
The Minister noted that precise figures for non-first-timer applicants were not recalled, but efforts are ongoing to enhance opportunities as the first-timer queue clears.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Full Transcript

Gan Thiam Poh

The Minister for National Development (Mr Khaw Boon Wan)

Under both schemes, a fixed quota of flats is set aside for these families. This ensures a better chance of success, as compared to giving them more ballot chances.

HDB also does not restrict the priority given to families with children to only 4-room or larger flats. This is to allow them to choose the flat type that best suits their budgets and needs.

Gan Thiam Poh (Pasir Ris-Punggol)

I thank the Minister for his clarification. May I know how many applicants currently in the queue are non-first-timers? When will HDB be able to satisfy all of them?

Khaw Boon Wan

Page: 35

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Mr Gan Thiam Poh proposed giving priority to families with children for larger BTO flats, such as extra ballot chances for couples with two or three children applying for 4-room or larger flats.
The Minister for National Development clarified that HDB already provides priority through the Third Child Priority Scheme and Parenthood Priority Scheme, setting aside fixed quotas for families with children rather than additional ballot chances.
HDB does not restrict priority to specific flat sizes, allowing families to choose based on their budget and needs.
Mr Gan asked about the number of non-first-timer applicants and when HDB could satisfy all of them, to which the Minister responded that the focus is on clearing the first-timer queue and that second-timers have more options like resale flats.
The Minister noted that precise figures for non-first-timer applicants were not recalled, but efforts are ongoing to enhance opportunities as the first-timer queue clears.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Priority for Larger BTO Flats for Families with Children | PAPERCUTS

Priority for Larger BTO Flats for Families with Children

Summary

Questions Identified

Full Transcript

Gan Thiam Poh

The Minister for National Development (Mr Khaw Boon Wan)

Gan Thiam Poh (Pasir Ris-Punggol)

Khaw Boon Wan

Summary

Questions Identified

Priority for Larger BTO Flats for Families with Children

Summary

Questions Identified

Full Transcript

Gan Thiam Poh

The Minister for National Development (Mr Khaw Boon Wan)

Gan Thiam Poh (Pasir Ris-Punggol)

Khaw Boon Wan

Summary

Questions Identified