Housing & estates — Topics

19 Jan 2015

Clearing of Obstructions in Common Areas

The Ministry of National Development highlighted that Town Councils have by-laws guided by SCDF to regulate and enforce against obstructions in common areas, which pose fire hazards and impede evacuations.
HDB conducts regular exhibitions, roadshows, and outreach programs to raise public awareness about the dangers of such obstructions and promote gracious living.
Town Councils use websites, newsletters, and notice boards to communicate with residents, while residents are urged to clear corridor clutter to maintain a safe environment.

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19 Jan 2015

Traffic Noise Reduction Features for Housing Units and Schools Located near Major Expressways

Member of Parliament Liang Eng Hwa urged the Minister for Transport to consider adding traffic noise reduction features on expressways near public housing and schools to improve living and study conditions.
The Ministry of Transport confirmed that the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has initiated a trial installation of noise barriers at three locations along major expressways.
Construction of the noise barrier at the Anak Bukit Flyover of the Pan Island Expressway was completed in October 2014.
The installations for West Coast Highway and the new flyover along Braddell Road are scheduled for completion in mid-2015 and end-2016, respectively.
LTA aims to conclude the trial and assessment of the noise barriers as early as possible to determine their effectiveness.

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19 Jan 2015

Number of Offenders Caught in Expanded Smoke-free Zones

From April 2013 to November 2014, the National Environment Agency took over 23,900 enforcement actions against smokers, with 52% of these offenses occurring in newly expanded smoke-free zones such as HDB void decks, corridors, and stairwells.
Offenders were issued fines of $200, and repeat offenders may face fines of up to $1,000 if convicted in court.
Prior to the ban, the NEA conducted a comprehensive public outreach campaign using media, posters, and community volunteers to inform the public about the new smoking-prohibited areas.
The NEA emphasized the need for continued community support and collaboration with schools and non-governmental organizations to ensure compliance and protect public health.
The agency plans to sustain enforcement and outreach efforts to effectively manage the expanded smoke-free zones.

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19 Jan 2015

HDB Rental Flats Set Aside for Joint Singles Scheme

HDB reported that out of 50,000 rental flats, 12,000 are occupied by tenants under the Joint Singles Scheme (JSS) with no fixed quota set aside for the scheme.
Approximately 1,900 flats are currently occupied by single JSS tenants who have not yet found a replacement flatmate after their original co-tenant left, with a six-month grace period to do so.
HDB helps match single tenants by providing lists of single applicants or introducing them to others of similar profiles, while advising mutual respect, dispute resolution through mediation, and encouraging tenants to first seek replacements among relatives or friends.

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19 Jan 2015

Noise Pollution Faced by Housing Units and Schools Built next to Major Expressways

Liang Eng Hwa questioned whether planning agencies consider the impact of traffic noise on residents and students when building housing and schools near expressways and if noise-mitigating designs are used.
Khaw Boon Wan confirmed that agencies are mindful of noise impacts, with planning requirements ensuring sufficient setback distances and design measures like orienting buildings away from expressways and using trees as noise buffers.
He added that approval from relevant agencies is required before development, and HDB will continue exploring practical measures to protect resident and student well-being.

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19 Jan 2015

Families in $1,000-$2,000 Income Bracket Booking HDB BTO Flats

Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for National Development for figures on families with monthly incomes between $1,000 and $1,200 who applied for or failed to book 2-room or larger HDB BTO flats since March 2012.
Khaw Boon Wan responded that between March 2012 and July 2014, 744 families in this income bracket booked a 2-room or larger BTO flat.
Khaw Boon Wan also noted that over the same period, 655 other families in the same income bracket were invited to select a BTO flat but did not proceed to book one.

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5 Nov 2014

Absence of Piped Gas in HDB Rental Flats

Baey Yam Keng asked why piped gas is absent in HDB rental flats, citing that many residents cook and alternatives like bottled gas impose upfront deposit costs on low-income families.
The Minister explained that omitting piped gas reduces construction and maintenance costs, noting a quarter of existing HDB households with gas access do not use it, making it non-essential.
The Minister added that bottled gas deposits are lower than switching on piped gas, and alternatives like electric or induction stoves are available for tenants who cook.

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4 Nov 2014

Commencement of Coverage for Home Protection Scheme

The Home Protection Scheme (HPS) coverage commences after HDB flat buyers collect their keys, as this aligns with the disbursement of their housing loan, finalization of loan terms, and determination of the appropriate insured amount to avoid overpayment.
HPS is not transferable to subsequent flats because each new property requires a different loan quantum and repayment period, necessitating a new HPS policy tailored to the updated financial circumstances.
Alternatives such as private mortgage or term insurance are available for buyers seeking earlier financial protection before HPS coverage begins.

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4 Nov 2014

HDB's Guiding Principles to Determine Number of Upcoming BTO Flats

HDB will launch four BTO exercises next year, providing 16,900 new flats, including about 4,000 two-room flats to meet demand from singles and low-income families.
Additional supply will come from Sale of Balance Flat exercises and several thousand unsold balance flats, with the overall plan deemed adequate for the estimated 15,000 new family formations annually.
HDB does not maintain a large buffer stock of empty flats due to costs, instead aims to build ahead of demand while acknowledging temporary shortfalls or surpluses from external factors.
The current focus is on managing a smooth transition to a sustainable balance between BTO supply and public housing demand.

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3 Nov 2014

Breakdown of Data in Household Expenditure Survey

Gerald Giam asked if the Household Expenditure Survey data can be broken down to show the income and expenditure profile of the bottom 10% of households by income and the home ownership types among the bottom 20% who spend more than they earn.
Lim Hng Kiang stated that the bottom 10% of households had an average monthly income of $1,043 and expenditure of $1,844, with 45% of income from non-work sources, partly due to many retiree households.
He added that detailed expenditure patterns for the bottom 10% and home ownership data by dwelling type and income quintile are available in the HES 2012/13 report, with high home ownership rates in the bottom quintile.
However, specific data on home ownership for households who spend more than they earn is not available from the survey.

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3 Nov 2014

Moratorium on Buying of BTO Flats for Applicants with Previous Cancellations

Gan Thiam Poh asked about the number of applicants barred from buying BTO flats for one year after cancellations in the past three years and whether HDB will allow monthly walk-in applications for the Sale of Balance Flats exercise.
Khaw Boon Wan explained that the one-year debarment was introduced in March 2012 to discourage frivolous bookings that crowd out genuine buyers, and about 3,500 applicants have been barred since then.
Khaw Boon Wan stated that HDB prefers to hold Sale of Balance Flats exercises when there is sufficient supply to provide applicants with more choices of flat types and locations, rather than allowing monthly walk-in selections.

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3 Nov 2014

Scope of Works for Home Improvement Programme for HDB Flats with Pitched Roofs

Png Eng Huat questioned whether the Home Improvement Programme's scope could be modified for HDB flats with pitched roofs, as top-floor units have false ceilings and owners do not benefit from spalling concrete repairs under the current scheme.
Khaw Boon Wan explained that spalling concrete repair is covered by the Home Improvement Programme, but for pitched roof blocks, the top-floor ceilings are non-concrete and part of the roof structure, which is common property under the Town Councils Act.
While flat owners handle routine maintenance of ceiling boards, the Town Council is responsible for repairing and replacing the roof structure, and residents should approach their Town Council for false ceiling damages caused by pitched roofs.

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3 Nov 2014

Property Valuation Limit for Mortgage Payments from CPF Ordinary Account

The Minister explains that the Valuation Limit (VL) is set at the lower of the property's purchase price or its value at the time of purchase to ensure CPF members can recover their CPF savings and interest when selling the property.
The VL policy encourages prudent property purchases and preserves some CPF savings for retirement, with exemptions for subsidised HDB flats financed with an HDB loan.
Most CPF members are not affected by the VL, and those who reach it can use CPF savings beyond the VL if they set aside half the Minimum Sum, with flexibility available through appeal for those facing difficulties.

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3 Nov 2014

Incidence of High-rise Littering

From September 2013 to September 2014, the National Environment Agency received feedback on 2,200 high-rise littering cases, with most resolved through outreach and education.
During the same period, 169 litterbugs were identified through surveillance cameras, and since 2012, over 1,500 cameras have been deployed in HDB estates, leading to the apprehension of 273 litterbugs.
The Minister emphasized that high-rise littering is a safety hazard and each case will be rigorously investigated to apprehend culprits.

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3 Nov 2014

Price Difference between HDB BTO Flats, HDB Resale Flats and Private Property

Gan Thiam Poh asked for the average percentage price difference between HDB BTO flats, HDB resale flats, and private property across three regions (core central, rest of central, and outside central) and how these compare to prices 10 years ago.
Khaw Boon Wan explained that BTO flats are mostly in non-mature estates located in the outside central region, and price comparisons between public and private housing should be interpreted carefully due to the wide range of private property types.
Khaw provided that for the outside central region, the average price difference between HDB resale flats and BTO flats is 31% (up from 18% in 2004), and between private residential properties and HDB resale flats is 158% (up from 118% in 2004).

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3 Nov 2014

Shorter Lease for First-time HDB Flat Buyers

Seah Kian Peng suggested offering first-time HDB buyers an option for 70-year leases on new flats in addition to the current 99-year leases to increase affordability.
The Minister responded that first-time buyers can already purchase resale flats with shorter leases and that offering a 70-year lease option for new flats is unnecessary due to low demand, higher upfront costs for HDB, and minimal price reduction compared to 99-year leases.
The Minister highlighted that new 99-year lease flats are already highly affordable with grants, and HDB only offers short leases in specific cases like senior citizen studio apartments.
Seah Kian Peng reiterated that a 70-year lease option would lower prices and improve affordability, urging the Ministry to consider it for future schemes.
The Minister acknowledged the suggestion and left the option open for future consideration if deemed necessary, but expressed doubt about current demand for such a scheme.

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8 Oct 2014

Reverse Mortgages for Elderly HDB Flat Owners

Minister Khaw Boon Wan outlined that reverse mortgages allow elderly HDB flat owners to unlock equity without regular repayments, but noted risks like growing loan balances and potential property value shortfalls, while sharing that a 2006 pilot by NTUC Income saw low take-up and was discontinued.
The Ministry of National Development is studying reverse mortgage schemes from other countries, but preliminary findings show low adoption rates globally, and the Minister emphasized the need for careful review and public consultation before deciding on any introduction.
The government currently offers the Lease Buyback Scheme (LBS) as the primary option, and while reverse mortgages could provide additional choices, the focus is on ensuring seniors make informed decisions through tailored counseling and comprehensive information.

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8 Oct 2014

Quality of Materials Used for HDB Lift Upgrading Programme

The debate centered on whether it is acceptable for newly installed lift frames under the HDB Lift Upgrading Programme to show rust, with Ms. Tin Pei Ling raising concerns about quality, responsibility, and standards across all upgrades.
The Senior Minister of State for National Development clarified that HDB requires contractors to meet specifications and conduct audits, but maintenance is the responsibility of Town Councils, with HDB providing guidance on upkeep routines for stainless steel parts.
HDB has used different stainless steel grades over time—grade 430 from 2005 and grade 304 since 2012—to balance quality and budget, acknowledging that even higher-grade materials require regular maintenance to prevent staining or corrosion.
Ms. Tin Pei Ling highlighted a specific case in MacPherson where rust appeared before handover, questioning the fairness of costs to Town Councils and whether material standards vary islandwide, with HDB confirming uniform specifications.
The discussion concluded with HDB committing to work with Town Councils to explore solutions, such as coatings, to reduce maintenance frequency and costs, while emphasizing that maintenance is essential for all stainless steel lifts.

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8 Oct 2014

Impact of Enhancements to HDB Upgrading Programmes

The Minister confirmed that the government has set aside sufficient budget for the enhancements to the Home Improvement Programme (HIP), Neighbourhood Renewal Programme (NRP), and Selective Lift Replacement Programme (SLRP), including raised cost caps, to allow more flats to benefit sooner.
For HIP, the government aims to complete selection of all eligible flats by 2018 and is accelerating the pace to launch upgrades for 100,000 flats over the next two years, with the entire programme expected to finish during the next government term.
The timeline for NRP and SLRP upgrades depends on Town Councils' capacity and resident engagement, with NRP implementation paced by local participation and SLRP allowing co-funding for lift replacements when Town Councils decide to proceed.

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7 Oct 2014

Automatic Waivers or Reductions of HDB Rental Fees for Persons under ComCare Public Assistance Scheme

Ms Sylvia Lim asked if HDB can automatically grant waivers or reductions in rental fees for tenants receiving long-term ComCare Public Assistance.
The Minister responded that ComCare Long-Term Assistance includes an allowance that accounts for HDB rental costs, enabling most beneficiaries to pay rent.
For those still unable to pay, HDB offers sympathetic assistance by reducing rent or allowing arrears to be paid in instalments.
The current approach relies on case-by-case review rather than automatic waivers for all recipients.
The government considers the existing ComCare allowance structure sufficient to cover rental expenses for the majority of affected households.

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