Second-time HDB Applicants Yet to Secure Their Flats

Mr Gan Thiam Poh asked the Minister for National Development what is the current estimated number of second-time HDB applicants who have yet to secure their flats and what is the average waiting time for their requests to be fulfilled.

Between October 2012 and September 2013, there were 3,700 second-timer applicants who applied for Build-To-Order (BTO) flats in the non-mature estates but did not have a chance to select a flat. We do not have the average waiting time for second-timer applicants, as this depends on various factors, such as the applicants' preferences and the popularity of their preferred project. In general, applicants should have a better chance of securing a flat if they apply for a project with lower application rates.

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Over the last three years, we have ramped up the supply of BTO flats to meet the housing needs of Singaporeans. In March 2012, HDB tripled the allocation quota for BTO flats in the non-mature estates for second-timers from 5% to 15%. In May 2013, the allocation quota for 2-room and 3-room flats was further increased from 15% to 30%. Second-timer application rates have fallen from 14.9 times the supply in January 2013 to 2.7 times in November 2013. As we clear the backlog of first-timers, second-timers will have better chances of getting a flat.