Housing & estates — Topics

5 Apr 2016

Installation of Barriers at Void Decks and Other Common Spaces

Assoc Prof Daniel Goh asked about guidelines for installing barriers in HDB common spaces to ensure accessibility for the disabled and elderly, and the Ministry's position on such installations.
The Senior Minister of State for National Development stated that Town Councils must follow the BCA's Code on Accessibility and the Building Control Act, ensuring barrier-free access is not obstructed, with enforcement by the Commissioner of Building Control if needed.
Assoc Prof Daniel Goh inquired about complaint avenues for the public regarding problematic barriers, and the Senior Minister of State replied that complaints can be directed to Town Councils or BCA.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

4 Apr 2016

Review of Additional Housing Grant

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah asked if the Ministry of National Development would review the Additional Housing Grant, which was last enhanced in 2009.
Lawrence Wong explained that the Additional Central Provident Fund Housing Grant was introduced in 2006 and enhanced twice, in 2007 and 2009, to help low-income families own their first home.
He noted that eligible first-timers can receive up to $40,000 from the Additional Housing Grant and up to $80,000 in total for new flats, or up to $90,000 for resale flats with other grants.
The minister stated there are no immediate plans to further enhance the Additional Housing Grant but highlighted recent enhancements to other housing grants.
The government remains committed to ensuring public housing affordability and is prepared to take further measures if needed.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

24 Mar 2016

Appeals for Public Rental Flats and Interim Rental Housing

From 2013 to 2015, HDB received about 8,700 requests annually for public rental flats, with 6,900 households successfully granted such flats and 510 assisted with Interim Rental Housing.
Appeals are assessed on a case-by-case basis, with flexibility exercised for needy households that do not meet eligibility criteria but have no other housing options or family support.
HDB may refer complex cases to Family Service Centres for social worker assessment, with consent, to provide counselling, financial assistance, and employment support.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

24 Mar 2016

Ensuring Quality of Works Done for Home Improvement Programme

HDB ensures HIP quality through a multi-pronged approach, including stringent contractor procurement, approved material suppliers, sample unit benchmarks, on-site supervision, robust audits, and final inspections before handover.
To minimise disamenities, HDB completes interior work within 10 working days, provides temporary common facilities, portable toilets, and air-conditioned rest areas, and sets up information centres for resident feedback.
Contractors performing substandard work face enforcement actions, including administrative charges, demerit points, and potential exclusion from future HDB tenders.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

24 Mar 2016

Feedback from Public Consultation on Fresh Start Housing Scheme

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah asked the Ministry for National Development for an update on the public consultation feedback for the Fresh Start Housing Scheme, which aims to help second-timer families with young children in rental housing to own a home again.
The consultation revealed broad agreement that the scheme must include guidance and support for families, not just housing grants and flats, and that beneficiaries must commit to finding jobs and maintaining stable incomes.
There was a strong emphasis on ensuring children attend school regularly to secure a better future, with the scheme focusing on holistic support to help families solve their problems.
Based on the feedback, the Ministry is now working out the detailed parameters for the scheme and plans to announce more details soon, while welcoming continued public input.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

24 Mar 2016

Difference between Parking Fees for Surface and Multi-storey Car Parks

Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef requested a review of monthly parking fees at HDB estates, specifically the difference between surface and multi-storey car park charges.
Lawrence Wong explained that multi-storey car parks cost more to maintain, justifying higher fees, but in some precincts with both types, charges are equalized to address congestion and underutilization.
HDB has no plans for islandwide equalization of parking charges due to no widespread imbalance in demand.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

24 Mar 2016

Upgrading of Private Estates above 30 Years Old

Chong Kee Hiong asked about the number of private estates older than 30 years and whether there is a plan to upgrade them through the Estate Upgrading Programme (EUP) by a specific deadline.
Lawrence Wong stated that since 2000, the EUP has selected 63 estates across nine batches, benefiting over 46,000 households, with selection based on estate age and condition, prioritizing older estates for improvements like park furniture, playgrounds, and footpaths.
There are slightly more than 20 estates over 30 years old not yet selected for EUP, and the government will continue prioritizing them, with the pace depending on resources and coordination with other agencies to minimize public inconvenience.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

24 Mar 2016

CPF Special or Retirement Account Funds for Mortgage Arrears

Zainal Sapari asked if HDB could allow homeowners without sufficient Ordinary Account savings to use their CPF Special or Retirement Account funds to manage mortgage arrears.
Lim Swee Say explained that CPF Ordinary Account savings can be used for housing costs, while Special Account funds are reserved for retirement, though limited flexibility exists for Retirement Account savings in certain cases.
He noted HDB offers measures like installment reductions, deferrals, or downsizing to help homeowners manage arrears, balancing housing support with protecting retirement savings.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

24 Mar 2016

Lift Upgrading Programme for Previously Ineligible Flats

Zainal Sapari asked if HDB could reconsider offering the Lift Upgrading Programme (LUP) to ineligible flats due to cost and re-offer it to previously unsuccessful blocks if owners change, and whether ballot rights would be withdrawn for rented-out or uncontactable units.
Lawrence Wong explained that HDB has reduced ineligible blocks to around 150 through cost-effective solutions, but some remain ineligible due to high costs or technical constraints, with a financial cap to ensure prudent spending.
HDB evaluates appeals for previously unsuccessful blocks case-by-case, considering changed circumstances and requiring at least 75% resident support, regardless of owner changes.
Eligible flat owners, even if they rent out their units, retain their right to ballot for LUP; if unable to vote, they can appoint a proxy.
The debate highlights HDB's efforts to balance cost-effectiveness with resident needs while maintaining clear eligibility and voting procedures for LUP.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

24 Mar 2016

Lift Replacement by Town Councils

Town Councils must fund lift replacements using mandatory sinking funds derived from service and conservancy charges, with the Ministry reviewing ways to enhance long-term financial planning and considering ring-fencing funds for major expenditures like lifts.
The Building and Construction Authority and HDB are working to professionalize lift technicians, improve quality standards in procurement, and implement performance-based maintenance regimes to ensure lift reliability and address obsolete parts.
Town Councils retain responsibility for assessing lift replacement needs based on condition and performance, with options to increase sinking fund contributions or service charges if necessary, supported by ongoing government guidance and oversight.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

24 Mar 2016

Approach in Tackling Homeless Cases

The Ministry of Social and Family Development provided assistance to an average of 300 homeless cases annually from 2005 to 2015, with numbers slightly declining in recent years.
A 2014 study found that homeless families often faced issues like divorce and financial difficulties, prompting a strategy to address underlying problems through employment aid, counselling, and links to community services.
The Ministry collaborates with other government bodies and community organizations to provide housing support, transitional shelters, and long-term solutions for homeless individuals and families.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

24 Mar 2016

Less Stringent Criteria for Rental and Purchase of HDB Flats for Families Affected by Divorce or With School-going Children

Mr Zainal Sapari asked if HDB could relax income criteria for rental flats and give priority to families with school-going children, especially those affected by divorce, for both rental and Sale of Balance Flats (SBF).
The Minister responded that the income ceiling for rental flats is regularly reviewed and flexibility is allowed for divorced parents with children; priority for rental flats is granted case-by-case to families with school-going children, and the waiting time has dropped significantly.
For SBF exercises, priority is already given to families with children through schemes like the Third Child Priority Scheme and Parenthood Priority Scheme.
Mr Zainal Sapari followed up by asking if second-timers could also get priority for SBF purchases, not just first-timers.
The Minister clarified that HDB prioritizes first-timers for home ownership, and second-timers who have owned an HDB flat before do not receive priority over first-timers.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

24 Mar 2016

Number of Single Parents who Have Successfully Applied for HDB Flats under ASSIST

Up to May 2015, 230 single parents applied under ASSIST, with 97% (223) successfully shortlisted for flat selection, and HDB provides sufficient flats annually for such applicants.
Of 85 ASSIST applicants who sought financial help, over half received assistance, mainly for resale levies, while others were advised to buy within budget or defer purchase; about 800 divorced/widowed parents were assisted with rental housing in 2015.
HDB incorporates resale levies into BTO flat payments to spread costs over time and provides financial counselling, but advises against purchases that would create unaffordable burdens.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

14 Mar 2016

Sole Tenancy of Public Rental Housing

Alex Yam asked for a breakdown of exceptions for sole tenancy in public rental housing over the last five years, the number of sole-tenanted flats due to disputes, and whether there is a loophole where tenants create a detrimental living atmosphere for co-tenants.
Lawrence Wong explained that HDB allows sole tenancy exceptions for families upon a member's death and for singles under the Joint Singles Scheme mainly for medical reasons, with about 2,000 flats currently occupied by a single tenant due to various non-dispute reasons like marriage or death.
HDB provides a six-month period for tenants to find a new co-tenant, offering support such as listing single applicants, but can take action against tenants who create a difficult living environment, including ending their tenancy.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

14 Mar 2016

Extension of Selective Lift Replacement Programme

Pritam Singh inquired about any remaining lifts eligible for the Selective Lift Replacement Programme (SLRP) and whether HDB would expand the programme to include lifts that become obsolete before the 28-year replacement guideline for safety reasons.
Lawrence Wong confirmed that HDB introduced SLRP in 2014 to replace about 750 old lifts lacking key safety features, with all eligible lifts—including 56 in Aljunied-Hougang Town Council—already identified and no further lifts eligible.
Wong emphasized that Town Councils have the statutory duty to maintain and replace lifts in HDB estates, including monitoring and proper maintenance to ensure passenger safety and prevent breakdowns.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

14 Mar 2016

Progress of Installation of CCTVs at HDB Void Decks and Common Areas

Gan Thiam Poh inquired about the progress of CCTV installation in HDB void decks and common areas.
Shanmugam stated that as of February 2016, 92% of HDB blocks and car parks already had police cameras installed.
Police are expected to complete full installation across all HDB blocks and car parks within the year.
Future installations will be coordinated with HDB for new BTO flats as they are built.
The initiative aims to enhance security in public housing areas through surveillance.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

14 Mar 2016

Divorcees Applying to Rent or Buy HDB Flats

Minister Lawrence Wong stated that from 2011 to May 2015, about 13,300 divorcees applied for HDB flats via BTO or Sale of Balance Flats schemes, with a success rate of about two in three.
In the same period, approximately 13,600 divorcees purchased resale flats, averaging between 2,300 and 3,000 transactions per year.
About 12,100 divorcees applied for rental flats during this timeframe, with roughly half of them succeeding in their applications.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

14 Mar 2016

Time Limit for Disposal of Existing HDB Flats by Owners who Buy a Second Flat

Gan Thiam Poh asked for statistics on requests to extend the six-month period for disposing of existing HDB flats when owners buy a second flat.
The Minister for National Development replied that HDB received 249 such requests last year, which is less than 2% of the 13,700 owners who still owned a flat when collecting keys to a new one.
From 2016 to 2018, about 13,000 existing flat owners are expected to collect keys for another BTO flat and must dispose of their existing flats within six months, though HDB will consider extension requests case by case.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

14 Mar 2016

HDB Loans for Second- and Third-time Flat Buyers

The Minister for National Development explained that HDB generally limits concessionary loans to two per buyer to meet life-cycle needs and stabilize the resale market, but may consider a third loan case-by-case for households unable to secure bank financing.
Saktiandi Supaat asked whether HDB would allow second- or third-time buyers to take HDB loans if they cannot qualify for bank loans and if the policy could be reviewed to assist this group.
The Minister shared that last year, HDB provided about 900 third loans, with 75% on non-concessionary terms and 25% concessionary, emphasizing that HDB remains flexible while ensuring households do not over-stretch financially.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

1 Mar 2016

Appeals for Higher HDB Loan Quantum

From 2012 to 2015, about 40,000 applicants appealed for a higher HDB loan quantum, representing roughly one in five of all HDB Loan Eligibility letter approvals during that period.
Over one in three of these appeals were successful, with successful appellants generally asking for a larger loan to broaden their flat options without specifying a precise amount.
Appeals that were rejected typically lacked evidence of the applicant's ability to service the larger loan, as HDB emphasized that taking on unsustainable financial commitments for a long-term purchase would be imprudent.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source