Housing & estates — Topics

8 Apr 2013

Breakdown of Newly-Installed Lifts under HDB's Lift Upgrading Programme (LUP)

Sylvia Lim inquired about the breakdown rate of new lifts under HDB's Lift Upgrading Programme within the defects-liability period, whether specific models had higher rates, and if the Ministry found the rates acceptable.
Khaw Boon Wan responded that the breakdown rate is below one per month for every 10 lifts installed during the defects liability period.
He stated there is no significant difference in breakdown rates across the various lift models.
Khaw confirmed that the current breakdown rates meet the performance standards specified in the tenders.
The Minister indicated the rates are considered acceptable as they align with contracted performance benchmarks.

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8 Apr 2013

Plans for Development of Land Next to Blocks 155 & 156, Rivervale Crescent

Lee Li Lian asked about plans for the land next to Blocks 155 and 156 at Rivervale Crescent.
Khaw Boon Wan confirmed the land is reserved for the Rivervale Delta HDB estate.
HDB launched flat sales in November and expects construction to be completed by 2016.

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8 Apr 2013

Offshore Islands as Sites for Foreign Workers' Dormitories

Mr Gan Thiam Poh suggested using nearby offshore islands to house foreign workers, especially in construction and shipyards.
Minister Khaw Boon Wan expressed openness to the idea, noting past use of islands like Jurong and Pulau Brani for worker housing.
Not all offshore islands are suitable due to infrastructure and planning constraints, but the Ministry will continue exploring options to house workers properly.

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8 Apr 2013

Housing Developers (Control and Licensing) (Amendment) Bill

The Bill amends the Housing Developers Act to strengthen buyer protection by requiring show flats to be built to scale and be "what you see is what you get," with the Controller of Housing empowered to investigate and penalise non-compliance.
It mandates the disclosure and publication of all rebates, discounts, and benefits offered by developers, and requires the collection and publication of sales transaction data to improve market transparency and aid informed buyer decisions.
The amendments enhance governance by expanding grounds for licence revocation, requiring public disclosure of audited financials, regulating marketing activities, and significantly increasing fines and penalties for non-compliance.

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8 Apr 2013

Impact of New Pricing Policy on BTO Flat Prices

Png Eng Huat requested data on average BTO flat prices for 3-room, 4-room, and 5-room units in mature and non-mature estates before and after HDB delinked BTO prices from the resale market.
The Minister for National Development explained that delinking was achieved through increased government subsidies to stabilize BTO prices, with examples from Punggol, Sengkang, and Tampines showing generally stable or slightly increased prices between 2010 and 2012.
Despite fluctuations in resale markets, BTO prices remained steady across towns, with the government committing to maintain this stability until market conditions normalize.

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8 Apr 2013

Impact of Tighter Foreign Worker Quotas on Completion of new HDB Flats

The tightening of foreign worker policies, including a 45% cumulative reduction in the man-year entitlement quota and higher levies, is expected to impact construction time and costs for HDB BTO projects, though HDB's extensive use of prefabrication helps mitigate delays.
The government has contingency plans to manage contractors unable to meet schedules, such as novating contracts to other contractors, and remains committed to delivering flats on time without relaxing the foreign worker tightening policy.
Despite potential cost increases from levies, HDB will maintain affordable BTO prices by absorbing additional costs through government subsidies, as BTO prices are delinked from resale indices.

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12 Mar 2013

Scheme for Housing of Foreign Talent (SHiFT)

Mrs Lina Chiam asked the Minister for Trade and Industry to suspend the Scheme for Housing of Foreign Talent (SHiFT) to help citizens with housing by renting out its units to them.
The Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry explained that SHiFT was started in 1997 to address affordable housing for foreign talent when HDB rental rules were more restrictive.
Since 2003, HDB has allowed entire flat rentals to both Singaporeans and foreigners, leading to increased rental supply.
JTC has been gradually phasing out SHiFT by selling flats to eligible buyers and expects to run down the remaining stock as tenancies expire.

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11 Mar 2013

Committee of Supply – Head T (Ministry of National Development)

Speakers highlighted the construction industry's low productivity, attributing it to practices like lowest-tender awards, intense competition among consultants, and reliance on low-skilled foreign workers, and called for measures such as stricter skills testing and higher buildability standards.
Concerns were raised about the impact of foreign worker levy increases and reduced Man-Year Entitlement quotas on construction projects, with suggestions for differentiated dependency ratios for public-sector works and enhanced funding for productivity improvements.
Parliament discussed housing affordability and support for vulnerable groups, including calls to freeze rental increases for low-income tenants, relax eligibility rules for rental flats, and address the housing needs of citizens with foreign spouses.
Members emphasized preserving Singapore's heritage, green spaces, and community amenities, advocating for environmental impact assessments for major developments and integrating heritage into new town designs.
The Ministry outlined initiatives to boost productivity, support low-income families, and balance development with conservation, including enhanced construction funding, flexible housing policies, and community-driven heritage projects.

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8 Mar 2013

Committee of Supply – Head T (Ministry of National Development)

The Ministry highlighted the importance of the Town Council Management Rating (TCMR) framework for accountability and autonomy, while committing to a review of Town Councils' operations and governance standards to better serve public interests.
It explained that Town Councils are expected to fund their operations primarily through Service and Conservancy Charges (S&CC), with the Ministry providing an annual operating grant of about $90 million and additional S&CC rebates of $77 million to help offset costs for residents.
The Ministry addressed concerns about lift maintenance costs, noting the prudence in the Lift Upgrading Programme and the $130 million in LUP Assistance disbursed in 2010 to help Town Councils with co-payment.
The Ministry emphasized community engagement through initiatives like the "Cool Ideas for Better HDB Living" Competition and pilot programs such as "Building Our Neighbourhood's Dreams" to involve residents in co-designing and renewing precincts.
The overall message stressed collaboration with residents to co-create vibrant HDB towns and communities, moving beyond building flats to fostering active and engaged neighborhoods.

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8 Mar 2013

Committee of Supply – Head T (Ministry of National Development)

Several MPs called for measures to improve housing affordability, suggesting a price-to-income ratio cap of three, shorter lease options, and revising HDB's 30-year repayment period to 20 years, while also urging the restoration of multi-generational flats and priority for families with children under the Parenthood Priority Scheme.
Concerns were raised about resale levies, long rental periods, and infrastructure delays in new estates, with proposals to help lower-income households pay levies via installments and ensure amenities are built before residents move in.
MPs debated the future of public housing, suggesting the review of Executive Condominiums and the Design, Build and Sell Scheme, and allowing singles to buy 2-room BTO flats directly from HDB.
The Minister responded with updates on supply, pricing, and priority schemes, announcing plans to delink new flat prices from the resale market, extend priority housing to pregnant couples and divorcees, and pilot multi-generational flats and lift installations.
The debate also highlighted community and estate management issues, including the definition of common property, the need for more elderly-friendly features, and initiatives like the Greenprint for sustainable towns, with a call for public consultation on long-term housing policies.

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25 Feb 2013

Number of HDB Flat Owners in Arrears

The proportion of HDB flat owners with mortgage arrears of three months or more has steadily declined over the past three years, from 6.0% (22,900 cases) in 2010 to 5.2% (18,000 cases) in 2012.
HDB provides financial counselling and tailored solutions, including temporary measures like reducing or deferring instalments, assisting with repayment plans, and advising on subletting spare rooms.
Flat owners facing long-term unaffordability can explore options such as adding joint owners, selling and moving to a smaller flat, or receiving another loan from HDB for a smaller unit.
Common reasons for arrears include over-stretching finances or income reductions from job loss or illness.
HDB also refers owners to Community Development Councils for employment, financial, or social assistance.

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25 Feb 2013

Lease Buyback Scheme and Silver Housing Bonus

Ms Foo Mee Har inquired about the total number and percentage of flat owners who have successfully used the Lease Buyback Scheme and Silver Housing Bonus since their launch.
Khaw Boon Wan responded that the Lease Buyback Scheme, introduced in 2009, has seen 471 households take it up to date.
He added that the enhanced Lease Buyback Scheme and Silver Housing Bonus were implemented on 1 February 2013, and the ministry is currently providing queries and financial counselling on both schemes.

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25 Feb 2013

Standard Medium-term Interest Rate for Housing Loans

Foo Mee Har asked if MAS would set a standard medium-term interest rate for all banks to use when calculating mortgage servicing ratios for housing loans.
Tharman Shanmugaratnam, speaking for the Prime Minister, explained that MAS already sets broad parameters for medium-term interest rates, which banks determine based on their risk tolerance, typically ranging from 3% to 4%.
MAS has capped the mortgage servicing ratio for HDB flat loans at 30% of gross monthly income, requiring banks to use the medium-term interest rate for repayment calculations to assess borrowers' repayment ability and prevent over-borrowing.
MAS conducts regular stress testing on banks and requires financial institutions to provide a Residential Property Loans Fact Sheet showing repayment scenarios under different interest rates.

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25 Feb 2013

Rental Flats for Citizens with Spouses on Long-term Visit Pass

Lee Li Lian questioned why Singapore citizens with spouses on long-term visit passes are ineligible for HDB rental flats and asked about alternative housing options.
The Senior Parliamentary Secretary explained that HDB rental flats are heavily subsidised for low-income citizen households without other housing options.
The scheme distinguishes between citizens married to other citizens and those married to foreigners, but HDB may consider each case flexibly to assist those truly in need.

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7 Feb 2013

Installation of Lightings at Walkway Bridge Across Kallang River Connecting St Andrews Village and Potong Pasir

Sitoh Yih Pin asked whether lightings can be installed on the footbridge linking St Andrews Village and Potong Pasir HDB flats.
Khaw Boon Wan explained that the bridge is maintained by LTA for the Community Improvement Projects Committee (CIPC).
The Potong Pasir Citizens' Consultative Committee can use its CIPC budget to install the lightings.
The CCC may appoint LTA as the implementing agent for the project.

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7 Feb 2013

Revising Limits for Home Ownership Plus Education (HOPE) Scheme

The Acting Minister explained that the HOPE scheme, while designed for young, low-income couples, has allowed divorced mothers since a 2009 review and is currently under review, with 301 divorced mothers enrolled as of September 2012.
Housing support for divorcees includes assistance from HDB to find affordable flats, options to incorporate resale levies or provide loans, interim rental housing, and public rental flats for those in financial hardship.
Childcare subsidies are available for single parents, with additional ComCare subsidies for families with household incomes up to $3,500 or per capita incomes up to $875, and these are regularly reviewed.
To address late maintenance payments, the Women's Charter allows for attachment of earnings orders, and recent amendments enable courts to impose sanctions like bank guarantees, community service, and financial counselling on defaulters.
In response to a specific case of a divorcee facing maintenance default and court attendance stress, the Minister offered to have MSF staff follow up to provide legal and financial assistance if details are shared.

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6 Feb 2013

Surveillance Cameras in Potong Pasir HDB Blocks

Sitoh Yih Pin asked if the Police can install surveillance cameras in Potong Pasir HDB blocks to deter loan sharking and other illegal activities.
Teo Chee Hean stated that police cameras are already being deployed in public housing estates, including Potong Pasir, and will be progressively installed in all 10,000 HDB blocks by 2016 under the Community Policing System.
By the end of the current year, all Town Councils, including Potong Pasir, will have some blocks equipped with police cameras, with locations chosen based on operational needs and input from Town Councils.
While cameras aid in crime deterrence and investigations, they are not sufficient alone; the Police will strengthen Neighbourhood Police Centres and enhance community engagement under COPS, urging the community to remain vigilant.

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6 Feb 2013

Housing Developers (Control and Licensing) (Amendment) Bill

The bill aims to amend the Housing Developers (Control and Licensing) Act to update regulations for housing developers.
Senior Minister of State for National Development Mr Lee Yi Shyan presented the bill and its first reading.
The bill is scheduled for a second reading in the next available parliamentary sitting.
The bill is to be formally printed for parliamentary records.

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5 Feb 2013

Annual Grants for Town Councils

Over the last three years, the Ministry of National Development disbursed around $110 million in annual grants to Town Councils to help offset operating costs and mitigate the impact of GST increases.
The 4th Town Council Management Report (TCMR) indicated that most Town Councils performed well in estate cleanliness, lift performance, S&CC arrears management, and corporate governance.
However, seven out of 15 Town Councils were rated "amber" under estate maintenance, with obstruction of common areas being the most common issue, posing potential fire hazards and evacuation challenges.
The TCMR aims to provide objective information to residents and facilitate discussions with Town Councils to improve estate upkeep, emphasizing joint efforts between residents and Town Councils to address the issues raised.

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5 Feb 2013

Delays to Completion Deadline for Projects under Lift Upgrading Programme

The Minister reported that most Lift Upgrading Programme (LUP) projects are completed ahead of schedule, but 12 projects were delayed last year due to three main reasons: resident requests for scope changes, consultations with affected residents over issues like blocked views, and unforeseen site constraints affecting underground services diversion.
HDB works with contractors to minimize delays and may seek Working Committee approval to revise completion dates if necessary, after which residents are informed of the new dates and reasons.
The debate was initiated by David Ong's questions about the number of delayed LUP projects and the specific reasons for each delay.

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