Housing & estates

Chua Kheng Wee Louis requested the Acting Minister for Transport to expedite the installation of additional electric vehicle chargers in HDB carparks with high utilization rates. Jeffrey Siow confirmed that EV chargers are already installed in all HDB towns and that deployment is being scaled up in response to increasing EV adoption, contingent on electrical capacity.

Nadia Ahmad Samdin asked about the progress of HDB's study on using microwave scanning technology to detect water seepage in HDB units and plans for its rollout in ageing estates. Chee Hong Tat reported that HDB is trialing this technology in 68 flats with water seepage issues between 2024 and 2025. The trials aim to assess the effectiveness and cost efficiency of the technology for potential wider application alongside other methods.

Ang Wei Neng asked the Minister for National Development about the number of HDB blocks in the last decade that failed to achieve 75% approval for the Home Improvement Programme (HIP), how many were allowed to revote, and the results of those revotes. Chee Hong Tat confirmed that six blocks did not reach the required threshold in the past ten years, with four of them eventually allowed to revote and all polling successfully upon re-evaluation. He acknowledged challenges in the voting process for smaller blocks and indicated plans to potentially cluster such blocks for future votes to improve outcomes. Additionally, HDB offers alternative assistance through schemes for issues like ceiling leaks and accessibility solutions for seniors.

Fadli Fawzi raised concerns about the increasing number of seniors living alone in HDB households and the potential risks of social isolation and mental health issues. Ong Ye Kung acknowledged this issue and highlighted the government's ongoing efforts to create a support network for seniors through initiatives like the Agency for Integrated Care and the recruitment of Silver Generation Ambassadors. The Age Well SG program has developed comprehensive support services, including Active Ageing Centres and Home Personal Care services for those in need. The government plans to enhance outreach efforts by collaborating with volunteer groups and community organizations to assist isolated seniors.

Choo Pei Ling questioned the Minister for Social and Family Development about the number of beds available for the homeless in government and charitable shelters, the measures to support their transition to long-term housing, and the success rate for homeless youths and young adults. Eric Chua responded that there are 730 beds in MSF-funded Transitional Shelters and 160 in Safe Sound Sleeping Places, highlighting support measures that assist residents in finding stable long-term accommodation. Choo asked about outreach efforts for rough sleepers, shelter capacity assessments, and the integration of employment and mental health support for homeless individuals. Chua confirmed that dedicated outreach teams work alongside community partners and emphasized the need for nuanced understanding of youth homelessness, clarifying that the predominant demographic of rough sleepers is still middle-aged men, many of whom are employed and have homes to return to.

Fadli Fawzi raised concerns about additional subsidies and financial support for senior households living in HDB flats, especially those on fixed or low incomes, to alleviate their cost burdens. Jeffrey Siow, the Senior Minister of State for Finance, highlighted existing support measures such as the Lease Buyback Scheme, which offers cash bonuses and subsidies for senior-friendly home modifications. He noted that the Government provides ongoing cost-of-living support through various schemes and has enhanced quarterly Silver Support payments for low-income seniors. Fadli pointed out the low take-up rate of the Lease Buyback Scheme and asked if it indicated a rejection of monetization by seniors, suggesting that the government should find ways to further support this demographic in maintaining their homes. Siow acknowledged the ongoing concerns about living costs and affirmed that the government will continue to encourage seniors to use available monetization options while exploring additional support measures.

Jessica Tan Soon Neo raised concerns about the increase in cases of condensation and mould on walls or ceilings due to neighbors' air conditioning use, highlighting around 240 such cases reported to HDB in 2025. She questioned whether HDB would mandate enhancements for flat owners who frequently use air-conditioning and sought clarification on responsibilities for affected residents, emphasizing the health risks associated with mould. Senior Minister of State for National Development, Sun Xueling, stated that HDB would provide advisories on proper air-conditioning use and would explore the feasibility of enhancements while assessing case specifics for potential compensation arrangements between neighbors.

Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked about the number of HDB flats subject to accrued interest on resale levies if former owners buy a second subsidized flat and requested data on the annual cases of resale levy interest charged and waivers granted over the past decade. Chee Hong Tat explained that under the current policy since March 2006, there is no interest on resale levies for second-timers, whereas an earlier policy included a 5% interest for sales between May 1997 and March 2006. Since 2015, the HDB has waived accrued interest for seniors downsizing and has shown flexibility for other cases, with automatic waivers in place as of 2023 for eligible households.

Cai Yinzhou requested details on the value of residential property owned by Singaporean and non-Singaporean households, categorized by household income deciles over the past decade. Chee Hong Tat provided data for owner-occupied residential property values based on the Household Expenditure Survey, including median values by income deciles. The Government does not collect data on residential property values owned by non-resident households.

David Hoe raised concerns about indoor heat risks in older public rental blocks, including design and ventilation issues, and asked about potential resources for mitigating heat, such as coatings, shading, and air-conditioning support. Chee Hong Tat responded that HDB is exploring solutions like cool coatings to reduce heat, with implementation planned for all HDB towns and specific application during Repairs & Redecoration by 2030. However, there are currently no plans to install or subsidise air-conditioning for public rental flats, as most tenants use fans for cooling. Lower-income families can seek financial assistance to cope with rising temperatures.

Mariam Jaafar asked if the Ministry of Manpower would enhance the Silver Support Scheme by including seniors in Executive Apartments with low per capita household incomes. Tan See Leng explained that the scheme targets seniors with low incomes during their working years and limited support in retirement, specifically for those living in 5-room or smaller HDB flats. He mentioned that seniors in unique situations can request a review of their eligibility on a case-by-case basis through the Central Provident Fund Board.

Shawn Loh requested a review of the Silver Support Scheme to consider moving from quarterly to monthly payouts for easier financial planning and to reduce discrepancies based on HDB flat sizes to avoid neighbor comparisons. Tan See Leng responded that quarterly payouts provide seniors with flexibility to manage larger expenses and that differentiating payments by flat type ensures better support for seniors in smaller flats with fewer resources.

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim raised concerns about the $2,000 income cap differential between BTO flats and Executive Condominiums (EC), asking whether HDB would consider raising the income cap or implementing periodic increases to align with rising household incomes. Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik also questioned the rising prices of ECs and the need to review income ceilings to keep them accessible for middle-income households. Chee Hong Tat confirmed that current income ceilings are $14,000 for HDB flats and $16,000 for ECs, and mentioned that a review of these ceilings is ongoing, with updates to be provided when available.

Valerie Lee asked about the proportion of private condominiums using the BCA Accessibility Fund and its average utilization over the past five years, as well as the possibility of a dedicated fund for enhancing facilities for seniors in private developments. Chee Hong Tat responded that the Fund has supported accessibility improvements in 161 buildings, with 20 being condominiums. The average annual utilization of the Fund over the last five years was approximately $0.5 million. There is a review underway to enhance the Accessibility Fund to better support seniors in private residential areas as part of the Age Well SG initiative.

Nadia Ahmad Samdin asked about the occupancy cap for rented private residential properties, specifically the rationale behind the cap of eight occupants and the possibility of adjusting limits based on property type and size. Chee Hong Tat stated that the general cap is six unrelated persons to avoid overpopulation and related disamenities in neighborhoods. He mentioned a temporary relaxation allowing up to eight unrelated persons in larger properties (at least 90 square meters) from January 2024 to December 2026 to address high rental demand. There are currently no plans to increase the cap further, as too many tenants could negatively affect the surrounding area.

Hany Soh raised a question about whether HDB identifies potentially distressed Singapore Citizen households under the Public Rental Scheme for assistance. Chee Hong Tat responded that HDB actively monitors rental payments and addresses public feedback regarding financial difficulties. HDB collaborates with agencies like Family Service Centres and Social Services Offices for case referrals and support. When signs of distress are noted, HDB takes steps to provide appropriate assistance to affected households.

He Ting Ru raised concerns about the shortfall in Town Council grant disbursements from FY2011 to FY2024, asking about the circumstances of the error and measures to prevent future occurrences. Chee Hong Tat explained that the shortfall was identified by the HDB during an internal review facilitated by the transition to digital reporting, which allowed for improved audits of the grant calculations. To avoid future discrepancies, HDB has strengthened its grant computation process with additional checks. The Ministry of National Development has advised Town Councils to consult their auditors on the need for retrospective adjustments in their financial statements due to the varying nature of underpayments across councils.

Dr. Choo Pei Ling asked about enforcement measures to prevent CCTV cameras from facing the doors or windows of other flats and whether installation regulations are consistent across all types of estates. Chee Hong Tat indicated that complaints regarding CCTV installations are infrequent and usually minimal compared to overall neighbour disputes. He encouraged residents to resolve any disputes amicably and suggested various avenues for assistance, including grassroots leaders, mediation services, and the Community Disputes Resolution Tribunals.

Ng Shi Xuan requested an update on the review regarding enhancements to HDB carpark structures for electric commercial vehicles exceeding 2,000 kilograms in unladen weight. Chee Hong Tat referenced a similar question answered in September 2025 and indicated that agencies are currently assessing how to modify car parks to accommodate heavier electric commercial vehicles, with the study still in progress.

Charlene Chen questioned whether the Ministry of National Development would consider adding acoustic insulation or soundproofing to the Home Improvement Programme for older flats affected by external noise. Chee Hong Tat responded that the Home Improvement Programme focuses on safety and maintenance issues due to wear and tear, and does not currently include acoustic insulation or soundproofing measures.