Housing & estates

Cai Yinzhou asked if the Ministry of National Development would review the retail mix in Toa Payoh to better accommodate younger families moving into new HDB BTO flats and whether there are plans for a new shopping center in the area. Chee Hong Tat responded that the Housing and Development Board regularly assesses the planning and provision of commercial facilities to match residents' needs. HDB considers demographic profiles and current retail offerings for upcoming developments in Toa Payoh East, Caldecott, and Mount Pleasant, with details to be announced when available.

Christopher de Souza asked about government measures to support residents facing disturbances from uncooperative neighbors, citing concerns over the cost of existing legal remedies. Edwin Tong outlined enhancements in the Community Disputes Management Framework (CDMF) introduced by the upcoming Community Disputes Resolution (Amendment) Act 2024. The Act allows for mediation directions to compel neighbors to mediate and establishes a Community Relations Unit (CRU) with powers to intervene in disputes. Residents can file a claim at the Community Disputes Resolution Tribunals with low fees, and in severe cases, HDB may consider compulsory acquisition of offending flats. Residents feeling threatened should contact the Police for immediate intervention.

David Hoe asked whether HDB would allow parent and child applicants to have a single joint queue number and one booking appointment under the Family Care Scheme for selecting two units concurrently. Chee Hong Tat explained that the Family Care Scheme (FCS) permits parents and children to apply for two units together and provides each a distinct queue number for more choices compared to the previous Multi-Generation Priority Scheme. The HDB is willing to exercise flexibility for applicants facing limited choices at the end of the booking exercise.

Gho Sze Kee asked about the Housing and Development Board's (HDB) target supply of 4,000 units under the Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS) by the end of 2025, and the implications for just married or affianced couples applying for the scheme. Indranee Rajah confirmed that HDB has met its target and that the highest priority for PPHS allocation goes to families with children, followed by couples without children and then fiancés. Gho expressed concerns from residents who were unsuccessful in applications, asking if the Ministry would consider using other available flats for the scheme, including those from the Lease Buyback Scheme (LBS). Indranee explained that while they are maximizing the use of SERS vacant flats, the LBS flats are generally sold to purchasers, and that a balance of housing strategies is being pursued to address ongoing demand.

Hamid Razak asked if HDB has clear criteria for waiving the Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) for flat owners involved in neighbour disputes, such as noise or harassment, and how these cases are assessed for fairness. Chee Hong Tat stated that HDB evaluates MOP waiver appeals on a case-by-case basis, considering individual circumstances. The priority is to mediate disputes between neighbours, with most resolved through this process or the Community Mediation Centre, and as a last resort, through the Community Disputes Resolution Tribunals.

Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked about the number of HDB-dwelling households in 2024 with decision-makers aged 65 and older, the number of seniors in those households, and how these numbers have changed since 2018. Chee Hong Tat explained that a senior household is defined as one where the decision-maker is aged 65 or above, and as of the 2023/2024 HDB Sample Household Survey, senior households increased from approximately 260,000 in 2018 to 340,000 in 2023/2024. However, HDB does not track the total number of seniors in these households.

Valerie Lee raised questions regarding factors influencing the selection of estates for Project Wolbachia, household coverage in private residential estates, and plans for expansion into Changi Division. Grace Fu Hai Yien explained that site selection considers the area's dengue risk, including historical prevalence and mosquito population. Currently, Project Wolbachia includes 35% of households in private landed estates, with plans to expand to HDB estates in Pasir Ris, affecting parts of Changi Division, starting March 2026. Further announcements for additional expansion sites will be made by the NEA when available.

Pritam Singh asked about the usage of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in Housing and Development Board (HDB) towns and the possibility of expanding AED availability to private developments. K Shanmugam reported that over 5,000 AEDs have been installed in HDB blocks under the Save-a-Life initiative, with more than 4,500 uses recorded since deployment. The Singapore Civil Defence Force collaborates with community partners to install AEDs in private developments and maintains a registry of accessible AEDs. Efforts are ongoing to engage businesses in installing and registering AEDs.

Shawn Loh asked if HDB and Town Council officers could be empowered to issue mediation orders and provide admissible statements to the Community Disputes Resolution Tribunal in areas without Community Relations Unit coverage. Chee Hong Tat confirmed that HDB and Town Council officers can issue mediation directions, and a pilot program for this is underway in Tampines for neighbor noise disputes. The mediation direction framework will be expanded to more towns, but non-public officers are not authorized to issue these directions due to potential fines for non-compliance. The Community Disputes Resolution Tribunal can request information from HDB or Town Council officers for its proceedings.

Elysa Chen raised several questions regarding the implications of the Ethnic Integration Policy (EIP) on selling and buyback prices for flats. Chee Hong Tat responded that the Housing and Development Board (HDB) provides assistance to EIP-constrained flat owners facing difficulties in selling. HDB evaluates buyback requests based on individual circumstances, including attempts to sell at a reasonable price for at least six months. Reasonableness is assessed by comparing the asking price with recent similar transactions available on HDB’s online platform. HDB uses professional valuers to determine buyback offers based on established valuation principles, allowing owners time to consider the offers.

Gerald Giam Yean Song asked about the number of summonses issued by the NEA in 2025 for littering by leaving refuse bags at HDB void decks, the responsibility for enforcement, and plans for surveillance cameras to identify offenders. Grace Fu Hai Yien responded that leaving refuse bags beside litter bins is a littering offence enforced by the NEA, which does not track specific enforcement actions for such scenarios. For persistent littering cases, the NEA collaborates with Town Councils to educate residents and may utilize surveillance cameras to collect evidence for investigations and enforcement.

Valerie Lee asked about the timeline and variations for Home Improvement Programme (HIP) projects over the past three years, including average time from announcement to construction and measures to help residents plan their renovations. Chee Hong Tat referred to a previous response given to other members, indicating that detailed information about the HIP was provided in the Official Report dated February 3, 2026.

Diana Pang Li Yen raised concerns about privacy for residents in landed estates that may be overlooked by new BTO projects. Chee Hong Tat responded that all BTO projects follow building codes, including guidelines on spacing between developments. The Housing and Development Board incorporates sensitive design elements, such as strategic building placement and landscaping, to enhance privacy, including planting tall trees for visual screening.

Foo Cexiang asked about appeals by Singapore-foreigner spouses to purchase HDB flats other than BTO 2-room Flexi flats in the past three years. Chee Hong Tat explained that Singaporeans with non-resident spouses and a Singaporean or SPR child can purchase any size of HDB flats, while those without such children can only buy a 2-room Flexi flat if they meet certain criteria. From 2023 to 2025, HDB received 16 appeals from couples seeking to purchase larger flats, but none were successful due to the availability of alternative housing options.

Foo Cexiang raised a question about the possibility of aligning the CPF life expectancy factor for property purchases with the average life expectancy of 83.5 years, instead of the current 95 years. Chee Hong Tat explained that the existing policy is designed to ensure that Singaporeans can secure housing for life and address retirement adequacy. Foo noted that some residents face challenges in home ownership due to their circumstances, such as being mid-career renters or long-term HDB renters nearing the lease requirement. Chee acknowledged these concerns and indicated that the Ministry of National Development is open to reviewing options to assist these individuals while maintaining the policy's intent.

Ng Chee Meng requested information from the Acting Minister for Transport regarding the deployment of 60,000 electric vehicle (EV) charging points by 2030, focusing on HDB carparks in high-demand areas and consideration of residents' growing EV demand. Jeffrey Siow confirmed that the target is on track, with EV chargers available in nearly every HDB carpark. The Land Transport Authority monitors usage and collaborates with EV Charging Operators to increase charging points in high-demand carparks where electrical capacity allows.

Yip Hon Weng raised questions about the revised budget meal scheme, focusing on meal quality, portion standards, daily quantity limits, and potential incentives for exceeding minimum requirements. Chee Hong Tat responded that various food options are available in HDB coffee shops, and there are ongoing support programs for lower-income residents. The budget meal initiative will undergo changes, allowing operators more flexibility, with participation becoming optional for renewing tenancies from January 2026. Funding support for operators has been tripled, ensuring discounts are passed to stallholders, and HDB will standardize requirements for budget meals to include specific meal options while preventing quantity limits. Continuous engagement with operators will take place to monitor the situation and assess the need for further adjustments.

Chua Kheng Wee Louis questioned whether the Government has considered adjusting the Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty (ABSD) remission timeline based on the size of residential developments. Chee Hong Tat explained that the ABSD regime for licensed housing developers aims to ensure timely housing supply and mentioned that since March 2025, the remission timelines for complex projects have been extended, specifically for large en bloc redevelopments that meet certain criteria.

Valerie Lee asked about the percentage of sheltered playgrounds and outdoor fitness stations within HDB estates and public parks, and whether the government would fund retrofitting existing facilities with shelters. Chee Hong Tat responded that the Housing and Development Board and NParks enhance thermal comfort through measures like sun-shade analysis and planting trees for shade. He noted that there are existing funding schemes and upgrading programs for Town Councils and NParks to rejuvenate facilities, potentially including additional shade.

Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked about the number of HDB blocks lacking direct lift access that were offered the Lift Upgrading Programme (LUP) and the current number of blocks where same-floor lift access is unfeasible. Ang Wei Neng inquired about the application trend for the enhanced Lift Access Housing Grant (LHG) since its increase to $80,000. Chee Hong Tat explained that the LUP has benefited the majority of HDB blocks initially without direct lift access, with plans for additional blocks to receive upgrades. Since the LHG enhancement, applications increased from 11 per year to 18 in eight months, and the HDB continues to assist residents facing mobility challenges.