Housing & estates — Topics

13 May 2013

Waiting List for Heavy Vehicle Parking Spaces in Choa Chu Kang Estate

Zaqy Mohamad asked about the sufficiency of heavy vehicle parking capacity in Choa Chu Kang, the length of waiting lists for five specific parks, any recent improvements, and additional support for residents with job-related parking needs.
Khaw Boon Wan confirmed 597 heavy vehicle parking lots exist, with waiting lists of 116 for HDB-managed and 138 for URA-managed parks, while TM Corporation's private park has no waitlist.
Khaw Boon Wan explained practical constraints like limited land for housing and community use, potential noise and safety issues, and interim sites provided by URA where possible.
He noted LTA requires owners to secure designated parking before vehicle registration and advised arranging driver transport between parking lots and homes.

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13 May 2013

Review of Provision of Parking Lots in Condominiums

Sylvia Lim asked for a review of the policy requiring only one parking lot per household in condominiums, especially those in private estates with narrow access roads, to address parking shortages and congestion.
Khaw Boon Wan clarified that the Land Transport Authority (LTA), not the Controller of Housing, sets the minimum parking requirement of one lot per dwelling unit, and developers are encouraged to provide more if needed.
LTA will continue monitoring parking situations in private estates and consider changes to standards if necessary.
For estates with narrow roads, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) has guidelines limiting development density to account for local road capacity, as implemented in specific estates like Telok Kurau and Joo Chiat.

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13 May 2013

Number of BTO Flats Completed Ahead of Schedule

In the past two years, all 28,000 BTO flats scheduled for completion were finished ahead of schedule and obtained their Temporary Occupation Permits (TOP) early.
For 2013 and 2014, a total of 42,300 new BTO flats are scheduled, and all are currently on track to be completed on time.
The Minister confirmed that the HDB has met all early completion targets communicated to buyers, with no delays reported for the flats in question.

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13 May 2013

Numbers of HDB Resale Flats upon Completion of New BTO Flats and HDB Flat Owners Purchasing Private Properties

MP Gan Thiam Poh asked for specific figures on HDB flat owners needing to sell their existing flats upon receiving new BTO flats, as well as on those purchasing private properties for investment or already owning properties in the past three years.
Minister Khaw Boon Wan stated that 2,500 non-first-timers will sell their existing flats this year upon completing new BTO flats, with figures of 5,600, 5,600, and 3,300 for the next three years respectively.
Khaw added that 46,700 private home-buyers had existing HDB addresses in the past three years, and 65,800 owned at least one residential property, but data on future private property possession is unavailable.

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13 May 2013

Exposures of Financial Institutions to Home and Real Estate Development Financing

As of March 2013, property-related exposures accounted for 28% of Singapore banks' total outstanding non-bank loans, comprising housing loans (17%) and loans to property developers and construction companies (11%), with over 70% of housing loans for owner-occupied homes.
The government's cooling measures, including stricter loan-to-value caps, have provided buffers for banks, with the average housing loan LTV ratio at 48% as of Q1 2013.
An increase in interest costs can affect financial institutions' net interest margins and loan quality, though current housing loan default rates remain low at below 1%.
The Monetary Authority of Singapore conducts regular stress tests, with the most recent showing all major financial institutions would maintain adequate capital buffers even under adverse scenarios, including a sharp property price correction.
Authorities will continue monitoring the property market closely to prevent bubbles that could harm borrowers and destabilize the financial system.

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13 May 2013

Home Ownership Needs of Low-Income Elderly

David Ong asked about the low take-up of the Lease Buyback Scheme and Silver Housing Bonus, seeking learning points, further refinements, and the impact of recent cooling measures.
Khaw Boon Wan reported that the enhanced Lease Buyback Scheme received 265 applications (averaging 88 monthly, up from 18), while the Silver Housing Bonus had 15 applications and 170 financial counselling requests, noting the latter is new and processes take time.
Khaw explained that the schemes are part of monetisation options for elderly homeowners and that cooling measures should not affect response rates as eligibility is limited to Singaporean households without a second property.
The Ministry will continue outreach and discuss further enhancements as part of "Our Singapore Conversation on Housing".

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13 May 2013

Applying Ethnic Integration Policy to Executive and Private Condominiums

Gan Thiam Poh asked if the Ethnic Integration Policy (EIP) could be extended to Executive Condominiums (ECs) and private condominiums.
The EIP, implemented in 1989, aims to maintain ethnic balance and prevent enclaves in public housing where over 80% of residents live.
The government has no plans to apply the EIP to private condominiums, as they are not public housing.
ECs are treated similarly to private condominiums and will not have EIP applied due to their private nature and ownership restrictions.
The policy focus remains on public housing, which covers the majority of Singapore's resident population.

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13 May 2013

Impact of Property Cooling Measures on Number of Homes Sold and Buyer Profile

Between 12 January and 31 March 2013, about 4,500 new and 1,700 resale private properties were sold, with 76% purchased by Singaporeans, 15% by Permanent Residents, and 9% by foreigners, while 65% of buyers were first-time owners.
The latest cooling measures moderated the property market, with private home prices rising only 0.6% in Q1 2013 compared to 1.8% in the previous quarter, and overall transactions declining due to fewer resale units sold.
Speculative activity decreased as sub-sales fell to 5.6% of transactions in Q1 2013 from 6.9% previously, and the government will continue monitoring the market and act if necessary to ensure stability.

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13 May 2013

HDB Build-to-Order Projects Affected by Contractors Going into Receivership

Liang Eng Hwa sought an update on engaging new contractors for the Senja Gateway and Segar Grove BTO projects after Poh Lian Construction’s receivership, and asked about potential delays and quality impacts.
Khaw Boon Wan stated that contracts with Poh Lian were terminated, open tenders were called, and new contracts are expected to be awarded by mid-June 2013 under a fast-track process.
HDB assesses that the flats can still be completed by the original Estimated Completion Dates and that the projects will follow the same rigorous quality management and testing processes.

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13 May 2013

Criteria Used to Identify Locations for Pilot MOE-run Kindergartens

Ms Lee Li Lian inquired about the criteria used to select the five pilot MOE-run Kindergarten locations and the locations for the remaining 10 kindergartens.
Minister Heng Swee Keat explained that the kindergartens are sited in HDB estates to better reach children there, with locations chosen based on neighborhood profiles and school infrastructure capacity to provide diverse conditions for the pilot.
For the next 10 pilot kindergartens, locations will be determined after further study.

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13 May 2013

Affordability of Studio Apartments for Senior Citizens

Dr Lam Pin Min questioned how HDB determines the pricing of studio apartments for seniors and whether they are affordable given the shorter 30-year lease compared to other flat types.
Minister Khaw Boon Wan explained that studio apartments are purpose-built for the elderly with elderly-friendly features and are priced based on location, size, lease period, and market conditions.
The minister highlighted that seniors can receive significant financial support, such as net proceeds from selling their existing homes and a cash bonus of up to $20,000 through the Silver Housing Bonus scheme.
Studio apartments are offered on 30-year leases in two sizes (35 and 45 square metres) to cater to different budgets and needs of elderly Singaporeans.
Second-timers buying studio apartments are exempt from resale levies, further reducing their financial outlay.

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13 May 2013

Polling Requirement for Home Improvement Programme

Denise Phua asked if HDB could waive the polling requirement for the Home Improvement Programme (HIP) given the essential nature of improvements like waste pipe replacement and structural repairs.
Khaw Boon Wan explained that majority consent is needed because most HIP works must be done inside residents' flats and some, like waste pipe replacement, affect other block residents.
He concluded that maintaining the polling requirement is a good practice to ensure collective agreement for such impactful improvements.

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13 May 2013

Defence Equipment Installed on HDB Blocks

Asst Prof Tan Kheng Boon Eugene asked whether defence equipment like radar is installed on HDB blocks, how public health and safety are managed, and if these installations add danger during conflict.
Ng Eng Hen confirmed a very limited number of defence equipment are installed on HDB blocks as part of Singapore’s surveillance network, only after exhausting other options.
He stated the equipment poses no health risks, with levels similar to mobile phone base stations, and they protect all Singaporeans by preventing attacks.

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13 May 2013

Town Councils

Khaw Boon Wan defended the fairness of MND’s project allocation to Town Councils, highlighting that all wards receive upgrading benefits, and emphasized the need for cooperation and politicisation-free implementation, while clarifying that the AIM review found no misuse of public funds.
Sylvia Lim contested Khaw’s interpretation of events, clarifying FMSS’s establishment was due to market constraints, disputing the comparison with AIM, and questioning the reasonableness of a one-month termination clause for critical IT systems.
Pritam Singh proposed stricter transparency rules, suggesting political parties and their affiliates be barred from Town Council contracts, and raised concerns about PAP-linked companies, prompting calls for clearer disclosure in the upcoming strategic review.

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13 May 2013

Town Councils

The Minister for National Development delivered a statement on the MND review of the 2010 AIM transaction involving PAP Town Councils, concluding that it complied with the Town Councils Act, found no misuse of public funds, and highlighted the political nature of Town Councils while calling for a strategic review of the framework.
PAP Town Council representatives defended the AIM transaction as a legitimate, resident-focused decision made in good faith to address obsolete software, emphasizing joint efforts to achieve economies of scale and improve services, and proposed clearer handover rules to minimize disruptions.
Workers' Party members criticized the AIM transaction as politically motivated, arguing it jeopardized public interest through a one-sided termination clause and wastage of public funds, and called for restrictions on selling critical assets and stronger safeguards for non-PAP Town Councils.
Other MPs shared experiences on Town Council handovers, noting challenges and the need for better transition protocols, and suggested improvements such as enhancing corporate governance, defining clearer roles between Town Councils and HDB, and exploring new models to balance political accountability with service continuity.

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13 May 2013

Shortage of Childcare Facilities in Sengkang and Punggol

Acting Minister Chan Chun Sing outlined plans to add dozens of new childcare centres in Sengkang and Punggol over the next few years, including one in Rivervale Arc by early 2015, and is working with HDB and community leaders to use alternative sites like temporary plots, community centres, and under-utilised car parks.
The Ministry determines childcare centre locations by monitoring demand via cohort sizes, community leader feedback, and existing childcare queues, and is open to exploring premises beyond HDB estates such as schools, workplaces, and integrated developments, though each site is assessed for feasibility.
To address the shortage, the government is providing grants for retrofitting existing facilities, reviewing manpower policies to balance teacher ratios and quality, and implementing measures like para educators to increase classroom capacity while maintaining care standards.

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8 Apr 2013

Installation of Surveillance Cameras to Deter Illegal Parking in Sennett Estate

Sitoh Yih Pin proposed installing surveillance cameras at roads and junctions in Sennett Estate to deter illegal parking.
Lui Tuck Yew stated that CCTV installation for illegal parking is prioritized for public roads and LTA will collaborate with the community and agencies for other solutions in Sennett Estate.
The debate centered on addressing localized parking issues through surveillance and community engagement.

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8 Apr 2013

"Home Lifts" for Low-Rise HDB Flats

Mr Png Eng Huat asked about the cost and height restrictions for implementing home lifts in low-rise HDB flats, noting limited benefiting units.
Minister Khaw Boon Wan responded that costs vary by site conditions and home lifts can serve blocks up to five storeys.
For inclusion in the Lift Upgrading Programme, the cost must not exceed $30,000 per benefiting unit.

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8 Apr 2013

Complaints of Real Estate Agents' Involvement in Sale of HDB Flats with Illegal Moneylenders

Ms Sylvia Lim asked the Minister for National Development about the number of cases lodged with the Council for Estate Agencies (CEA) regarding real estate agents facilitating HDB flat sales to repay illegal moneylenders and the outcomes.
The CEA investigated a case where a salesperson involved in unlicensed moneylending was charged by Police in November 2012, with the case pending court hearings.
The CEA also investigated five salespersons linked to licensed moneylenders, charging one in December 2012 for referring clients to licensed moneylenders, while four cases remain under investigation.
The CEA collaborates with Police, HDB, and the Registry of Moneylenders, taking stern action against agents colluding with moneylenders, including possible prosecution and debarment if convicted.

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8 Apr 2013

Complaints of Real Estate Agents' Involvement in Illegal Sub-Letting of HDB Rental Flats

Sylvia Lim asked about complaints against real estate agents for brokering illegal sub-letting of HDB rental flats in the past 24 months and the outcomes of investigations.
Khaw Boon Wan confirmed that the Council for Estate Agencies investigated three complaints, with one case leading to prosecution for offences under the Estate Agents Act and police charges for cheating.
Investigations are still ongoing for the remaining two cases.

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