Housing & estates — Topics

16 Oct 2012

Correlation between Strong Housing Demand and Customary Beliefs

Gan Thiam Poh inquired whether pent-up housing demand in recent years could be attributed to customary beliefs or ethnic traditions tied to marriage and family formation, suggesting it might be temporary.
Khaw Boon Wan responded that there is no empirical or historical evidence to support this correlation, noting that eligible marriages for subsidized housing have remained stable at around 15,000 annually over the past decade.
He further clarified that no link exists between private housing demand and household formation trends.

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16 Oct 2012

Categorising Town Councils as Non-contestable Entities in Retail Energy Market

Zaqy Mohamad proposed exempting Town Councils from the non-contestable category to enable them to negotiate better electricity rates, reducing utility costs and service charges.
Currently, Town Councils manage about 6,200 accounts, with 5% already contestable and 7% eligible but not opted in, based on a 10,000 kWh monthly consumption threshold.
The Ministry noted that 75% of Singapore's electricity demand is contestable, while 25% remains regulated, and EMA is exploring further market expansion with safeguards.

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16 Oct 2012

Computation of HDB Flat Values

The Minister clarified that HDB flat valuations are based on uniform professional principles for resale, SERS, and compulsory acquisitions, while noting that cash-over-valuation (COV) arises in a seller’s market and buyers are advised to be cautious.
Resale prices are set by market forces, with the government providing data transparency but not intervening directly, and measures have been implemented to address supply-demand imbalances and high COVs.
The MP questioned whether including past COVs in valuation data could artificially inflate resale prices and why COVs are not present in private property transactions, to which the Minister confirmed valuers consider actual selling prices, including COVs if applicable.

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15 Oct 2012

Stabilising Pricing of Public Housing

Sitoh Yih Pin asked how HDB plans to stabilize public housing prices amid rising open market costs.
Khaw Boon Wan attributed price increases to temporary supply-demand mismatch, global liquidity, low interest rates, and strong economic growth, with government measures showing signs of stabilization.
Resale price growth has slowed from 14.1% in 2010 to 3.9% in the first three quarters of this year, though quarterly growth remains at 1.3% with a recent uptick.
Demand-side measures include MAS rules on loan tenures to encourage financial prudence, while supply-side efforts involve ramping up BTO flat construction into 2013 to meet housing needs.
The government continues to monitor the market closely, acknowledging that it is not yet out of the woods despite progress toward stabilization.

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15 Oct 2012

Completed Public and Private Housing Issued with Temporary Occupation Permits

Gan Thiam Poh asked the Minister for National Development for detailed statistics on completed public and private housing units issued with temporary occupation permits, unsold units, and projected private housing releases.
Khaw Boon Wan provided figures showing the number of public and private housing units completed in the last two years and projected completions, noting that unsold public housing is managed through ad-hoc sales exercises.
The Minister stated that about 39,600 unsold private housing units were in the pipeline as of Q2 2012, and details for the next year's Government Land Sales Programme were not finalized.

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15 Oct 2012

Installation of Rain-shielding Structures in HDB Flats

Ms Tin Pei Ling and Mr Lim Biow Chuan asked the Minister for National Development whether HDB would consider installing free rain-shielding devices or shelters for flats and blocks affected by heavy rains.
Minister Khaw Boon Wan stated that HDB designs new flats with weather protection in mind, such as canopies and top-hung windows, to balance rain shielding with ventilation and lighting.
HDB provides rain screens in common areas on a case-by-case basis when splashing is severe and helps residents install weather strips under doors to prevent water seepage, while considering maintenance costs.

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15 Oct 2012

Building New HDB Flats Ahead of Demand

Gerald Giam proposed that HDB build flats ahead of demand to reduce waiting times for first-time buyers, noting the current Build-to-Order system waits for 70% booking before calling tenders.
Khaw Boon Wan responded that HDB has changed its approach since May last year and no longer waits for the 70% take-up rate to call construction tenders.
The new approach aims to start construction sooner using ready architectural drawings and tender documents.
This policy shift addresses concerns about young couples obtaining keys earlier than the previous system allowed.

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15 Oct 2012

Installation of Fire-rated Doors in Front of Bukit Batok Flats

David Ong questioned the rationale for installing fire-rated doors at the front of certain Bukit Batok HDB flats and asked for alternative solutions to support barrier-free access and ageing in place.
Khaw Boon Wan explained that the fire-rated doors are required due to the specific design of lift upgrading bridges, which had high walls chosen for privacy but reduced ventilation and smoke dispersion, necessitating the doors for fire safety compliance.
The doors ensure a safe and smoke-free escape route by separating the lift lobby from the staircase, addressing fire safety requirements while acknowledging the design trade-offs.

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15 Oct 2012

Compulsory Installation of Window Grills for HDB Flats

Zainal Sapari asked if HDB should install window grilles as a standard safety feature for all rental units.
Khaw Boon Wan stated that window grilles are not considered essential for all households, so HDB does not provide them as a standard feature in any flats.
Tenants may install grilles themselves, with financial assistance available from community organizations if needed.
HDB can also transfer tenants to lower-level units or units with existing grilles on a case-by-case basis.

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15 Oct 2012

Income Ceiling for Buying New HDB Flats

Lim Biow Chuan asked whether HDB could waive the income ceiling so all Singapore citizens have a chance to buy a subsidized flat.
Khaw Boon Wan explained that the income ceiling ensures limited housing subsidies go to those most in need, noting the ceiling was raised to $10,000, allowing about 80% of households to qualify.
He stated that HDB prioritizes increasing flat supply and will periodically review the income ceiling, balancing broader access to subsidies with the government's finite resources.

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15 Oct 2012

High-rise Littering Hot Spots

NEA has installed surveillance cameras at 70 locations in 17 HDB estates to monitor high-rise littering, resulting in two offenders being identified and action taken.
The cameras are focused only on external facades, residents are notified in advance, and strict protocols limit access to recordings to authorized personnel to protect privacy.
NEA plans to continue using surveillance as a last resort while promoting education and community outreach to encourage responsible behavior and social graciousness.

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15 Oct 2012

Effectiveness of Recent Measures to Stabilise Property Prices

The Minister acknowledged that global liquidity and low interest rates are driving property demand, but noted that cooling measures and increased supply have moderated price growth, with private property and HDB resale price increases slowing significantly in 2012.
Officials emphasized that while some high-profile transactions like the $1 million Queenstown flat are outliers, the overall market is stabilising, and they will continue to monitor and act if necessary to prevent unsustainable price rises, including through recent loan tenure curbs.
The Ministry outlined that affordability is assessed using international guidelines, with HDB BTO pricing kept around 25% of household income for mortgages and resale generally under 35%, ensuring most citizens can afford homes.
To meet demand, HDB has ramped up BTO supply and plans to maintain around 25,000 units annually to cover family formations and additional needs, while considering adjustments for singles and potential buffers for unanticipated demand.

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11 Sep 2012

Disputes among Neighbours in HDB Estates

Neighbour disputes in HDB estates are rising, with common issues including noise nuisance, obstructions in common areas, dripping laundry, and pet-related problems.
HDB handles these disputes by working with grassroots leaders to advise residents and encourage mutual respect; unresolved cases are referred to mediation, with 73 cases mediated by the Community Mediation Centre over two years.
HDB does not take enforcement action for private disputes but may consider compulsory flat acquisition as a last resort for persistent public nuisance, which has only happened once since 1990.
The government emphasizes mediation as a preferred resolution method and is strengthening referral partnerships with agencies to improve accessibility and compliance.
Prevention of disputes relies on ongoing community efforts to foster good neighbourliness and shared responsibility in common spaces.

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11 Sep 2012

Use of Space at HDB Lift Lobbies

Mr Baey Yam Keng asked about SCDF guidelines for items in HDB lift lobbies and whether flexible placement of non-obstructive items like flower pots and bicycles is allowed.
The Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs explained that SCDF guidelines prioritize fire safety and emergency evacuation, requiring combustible items to be prohibited and maintaining a minimum 1.2-metre clearance, with enforcement by Town Councils.
Mr Baey sought clarification on whether non-combustible items like bicycles and plants could be permitted in spacious lobbies, citing strict Town Council enforcement and requesting flexibility for reasonable use.
The Senior Minister of State clarified that SCDF’s rules focus on safety hazards like combustibles and obstructions, while other matters like decorations fall under MND and Town Councils, suggesting a separate query to MND.
The Speaker directed Mr Baey to file a parliamentary question to MND for broader guidance on common area usage beyond fire safety concerns.

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11 Sep 2012

Measures to Minimise Construction Noise

HDB works with contractors to minimize noise and dust by using precast components, high hoarding, and on-site officers, while coordinating with agencies to plan infrastructure and amenities ahead of demand.
Residents in mature towns like Bukit Panjang expressed concerns about congestion from simultaneous BTO projects, prompting assurances that HDB acts as the coordinating agency to address bottlenecks.
MPs highlighted issues with inadequate road networks and bus services, leading to commitments for intensified inter-agency coordination and longer-term planning to reduce inconveniences.
There are calls for better public communication of development plans, with HDB noting ongoing briefings and considering more accessible information while maintaining flexibility.

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11 Sep 2012

Update on Review of Design, Build and Sell Scheme (DBSS)

The Minister confirmed that the review of the DBSS scheme is not being rushed, as the focus is on increasing the supply of BTO flats and Executive Condominiums, and clarified that HDB’s role is limited to eligibility checks and financing, while dispute resolution rests with buyers and developers.
Ang Hin Kee raised concerns about the impact of DBSS on flat owners and suggested HDB play a more active role in mediating disputes, but the Minister emphasized that HDB already engages developers on design and safety but cannot override contractual obligations between buyers and developers.
The Minister refuted the claim that there is a policy against building BTOs in mature estates, stating that such projects continue to meet residents' needs, and noted that HDB provides advice and support for dispute resolution without formal mediation authority.

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10 Sep 2012

Allocation of New Void Deck Childcare Centres

The debate focused on the allocation of new void deck childcare centres to anchor operators like PAP Community Foundation (PCF) and NTUC First Campus, as well as non-profit operators, including details on grants and criteria.
Over the past 24 months, approximately 44% of childcare centres in HDB void decks are run by non-profit operators other than PCF and NTUC, with similar setup grants of about $100,000 for a normal-sized centre.
Allocations are decided based on resident profiles, housing types, existing centre mix, and community views, with sites for anchor operators split roughly equally between PCF and NTUC.
Anchor operators receive setup grants plus recurrent grants for salary support, while non-profit operators get setup grants but not the additional recurrent grants.
The Ministry considers various factors, including community input, to ensure a balanced distribution of childcare centres across different operators.

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10 Sep 2012

Qualifying Criteria for Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS)

Ms Sylvia Lim proposed raising the CHAS annual value limit above $13,000 to include more economically inactive elderly in non-premium private and landed properties.
Health Minister Gan Kim Yong explained that the $13,000 annual value criterion targets subsidies effectively, with over 80% of non-working households qualifying.
The Ministry of Health considers appeals sympathetically for households exceeding the annual value cap due to extenuating circumstances.
The government reviews CHAS eligibility criteria periodically to ensure subsidies reach those most in need.

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10 Sep 2012

Applications under the HDB Fiance/Fiancee Scheme

From 2009 to 2011 and the first half of 2012, 48,460 couples applied under the HDB Fiance/Fiancee Scheme, with 37,537 invited to select flats and 26,174 booking a flat.
Of those who booked a flat, 1,135 couples (4.3%) cancelled their bookings and forfeited their deposits, with 367 citing relationship break-up as the reason.
Applicants for standard BTO projects typically wait two-and-a-half to three years to collect keys, reflecting the waiting period for flats.

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10 Sep 2012

Review on Silver Housing Bonus Scheme

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah requested an update on the review of the Silver Housing Bonus Scheme and asked if the review is still ongoing, seeking a completion timeline.
Khaw Boon Wan confirmed that the review remains ongoing as the government gathers feedback and addresses seniors' concerns.
Khaw Boon Wan stated that the review is expected to be completed and details announced next month.

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