Additional Ballot for BTO Flat Applicants who had been Unsuccessful in One or Two Previous Attempts

Mr Pritam Singh asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether applicants who have been unsuccessful in applying for both a non-mature flat under the pre-October 2024 mature and non-mature BTO flat classification framework and a Standard flat under the new BTO flat classification framework are entitled to an additional ballot for their second and subsequent Standard flat applications; and (b) whether the new BTO flat classification framework assures applicants of a high chance to choose a flat by the second or third Standard flat application.

First-timer (FT) families get priority allocation under the new flat classification framework. The Housing and Development Board (HDB) sets aside the majority of the Build-To-Order (BTO) flat supply for them and, additionally, accords them priority through various schemes. For example, First-Timer (Parents & Married Couples), or FT(PMC), get first priority under the Family and Parenthood Priority Scheme, when they apply for a four-room and smaller Standard BTO flat. Since the scheme was launched in October 2023, about nine in 10 or 90% of FT(PMC), who applied for a four-room and smaller flat in non-mature estates (NMEs) were invited to book a flat.

Under the new flat classification framework, all FT families who have been unsuccessful in two or more BTO attempts for a Standard flat will receive one additional ballot chance for each subsequent application they make for a Standard flat. FT(PMC) applicants may accumulate up to five ballot chances while other first-timer applicants may accumulate up to four ballot chances. The old NME framework and the new flat classification framework are inherently different. Hence, additional ballots from the old NME framework have not been ported over to the new flat classification framework. However, FT families applying under the new framework will continue to enjoy the benefit of the priority measures described above.

As HDB has only conducted one BTO exercise under the new flat classification framework, data is not yet available on the success rate of Standard flat applicants at their second or third application.