Housing & estates

Choo Pei Ling asked about the preparation needed for installing AEDs in newly developed estates like Tengah, the timeline for their installation, and interim measures for emergency preparedness before AEDs are deployed. Sim Ann responded that the SCDF must complete relevant infrastructure and security measures before installation, with 29 AEDs already in Tengah and 11 more planned by February 2026, covering about 70% of occupied HDB blocks. SCDF organizes community events to promote emergency preparedness and life-saving skills, and the "My Responder Plus" program encourages community involvement in these initiatives. Pei Ling emphasized the importance of timely access to life-saving equipment in new towns.

Shawn Loh asked about extending the highest tier of Silver Support to seniors over 80 in smaller HDB flats, given their potential depletion of CPF savings. Minister Tan See Leng explained that the Silver Support Scheme targets seniors with low lifetime wages and limited support, and those in smaller flats receive higher payments. Loh suggested merging flat types for more equitable support among neighbors, to which Tan acknowledged the feedback will be considered in future reviews while balancing fiscal sustainability. Tan expressed hope for a future where all Singaporeans can fully meet their retirement needs, reducing reliance on the Silver Support Scheme.

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Acting Minister for Transport about the consideration of senior density in precincts for lift installations at pedestrian overhead bridges and specifically referenced the decision regarding a bridge near Block 301D Anchorvale Road. Jeffrey Siow confirmed that the Land Transport Authority takes into account the number of seniors in the vicinity for prioritizing lift retrofitting. He clarified that the bridge near Block 301D Anchorvale Drive will indeed be retrofitted with a lift within the next few years.

Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked about the subletting of HDB shops by foreign buyers and the potential imposition of Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty (ABSD) on these commercial properties. Chee Hong Tat reported that less than 1% of the 8,500 privately-owned HDB shops are owned by foreigners and that there is no requirement for owners to report subletting. The ABSD is intended to regulate demand for residential properties, and there are no current plans to apply it to commercial properties, including HDB shop units.

Diana Pang Li Yen questioned the fairness of the 15-month cooling period policy, highlighting discrepancies between high-value HDB flat sellers who can immediately buy again and private property sellers who face restrictions. Chee Hong Tat explained that the policy aims to moderate demand for HDB resale flats and prioritize access for first-time buyers and those with urgent housing needs. He noted a significant increase in private property owners buying HDB flats before the policy was implemented, leading to higher cash-over-valuation amounts. Seniors buying smaller flats are exempt from this cooling period, and HDB reviews appeals on a case-by-case basis, with about 25% of appeals granted. The government plans to monitor the market and may remove the cooling period in the future.

Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked about the Ministry of National Development's monitoring of illegal short-term rental listings on online platforms and requested data on public reports and prosecutions since 2017. Chee Hong Tat confirmed that the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) actively monitors these listings and takes enforcement actions as necessary. Since 2017, URA has investigated around 3,600 cases of illegal short-term rentals and prosecuted 35 offenders in court.

Ng Chee Meng asked if the Ministry for National Development would consider converting under-utilized upper levels of multi-storey carparks into community sports facilities for the Jalan Kayu-Fernvale area. Chee Hong Tat responded that the Housing and Development Board is collaborating with Sport Singapore to explore this conversion and will keep the request in mind. However, he noted that such conversions require thorough evaluations regarding parking demand, potential impacts on residents, and safety considerations.

Diana Pang Li Yen questioned the Minister for Home Affairs about fire safety measures for severe hoarding cases in high-rise public housing and their associated risks. K Shanmugam explained that HDB units are designed to limit fire spread and ensure safe evacuation, while severe hoarding can obstruct escape routes, posing risks to residents. He noted that a coordinated approach is taken to manage hoarding through various agencies and community support. Although hoarding is generally a personal matter, there can be legal actions for non-compliance with fire safety directives, including fines or imprisonment. The government will monitor the situation and may implement further regulations if needed.

Cai Yinzhou proposed the establishment of a Fire Victim Support Unit to provide psychological support for residents affected by HDB fires and suggested community engagement sessions to aid in resilience-building. K Shanmugam responded that immediate medical assistance, including psychological first aid, is provided to fire victims, while essential support is coordinated through grassroots organizations and the Housing and Development Board. The Minister stated that there is no need for a dedicated Fire Victim Support Unit, as the Singapore Civil Defence Force conducts post-fire engagement to promote fire safety awareness.

Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat raised concerns about the rising battery fire incidents from Personal Mobility Devices (PMDs) and suggested piloting fire-rated outdoor charging cabinets in HDB void decks or carparks, potentially with subsidized electricity rates. Chee Hong Tat responded that agencies are monitoring PMD ownership and charging practices, and while they evaluate overseas models, local context must be considered, including potential space trade-offs for residents. He emphasized the importance of preventing fires by ensuring PMDs meet safety standards, advocating for compliance in device purchases, and mentioned plans to strengthen regulations on non-compliant PMDs and their online sales.

Diana Pang Li Yen asked about potential policy exceptions for older divorcees facing difficulties in purchasing a new home due to CPF Retirement Account regulations after selling their HDB flat following a court-ordered sale. Tan See Leng explained that CPF members' net sale proceeds are used to return withdrawn CPF amounts to their accounts, with funds for members aged 55 and above prioritizing the Retirement Accounts first. He noted that members can use excess funds from their Retirement Accounts to purchase smaller HDB flats under specific conditions and that appeals for using more RA savings for housing purchases are considered on a case-by-case basis. Additionally, resources are available for divorcing couples to explore post-divorce housing options through designated online tools and agencies.

Darryl David asked if there are plans to include public housing in the future development of Pulau Brani. Chee Hong Tat responded that under the Greater Sentosa Master Plan, Pulau Brani will be developed as a leisure and tourism destination, with no current plans for public housing in the area.

Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik questioned the Minister for National Development regarding the effectiveness of a trial placing netting on air-conditioner ledges in 35 flats in Punggol and Toa Payoh for pigeon nesting behavior. Chee Hong Tat explained that the Housing and Development Board (HDB) is evaluating the effectiveness of netting solutions to prevent pigeon nesting, which complements islandwide management efforts by the National Parks Board. The trial was conducted on selected units based on feedback from Town Councils and residents about persistent pigeon issues. HDB will share the findings of the trial with all Town Councils once completed.

Valerie Lee asked about NEA's strategies to address rising packaging waste through the structure of Public Waste Collector tenders and the availability of recycling bins. Grace Fu Hai Yien responded that NEA ensures timely waste collection and mandates at least one recycling bin per HDB block, with flexibility to increase bin numbers and collection frequency during peak periods. NEA collaborates with Town Councils to meet local recycling needs, responding to requests for additional bins and collections as necessary. Town Councils can also procure extra green refuse bins for common areas if required.

• The debate focused on whether Singapore's review of the Building Maintenance and Strata Management Act will include lessons from the recent fire incident at Wang Fuk Court in Hong Kong.
• The Senior Minister of State for National Development confirmed that the Singapore government is reviewing early observations from the Hong Kong fire and will incorporate relevant findings into the legislative framework.
• Concerns were raised about potential corruption in management councils overseeing large-scale repairs, prompting a discussion on strengthening oversight in this area.
• The Minister indicated that the review will consider the powers of the Management Corporation Strata Title and promised to provide more information in the future.

• In 2025, Singapore experienced a slight increase in residential building fires, with 1,051 incidents compared to 968 in 2024, although the overall percentage of fires relative to housing stock has decreased.
• The government is reviewing fire safety regulations in light of recent high-rise fires, such as the one in Hong Kong, to enhance compliance and inspection measures for residential buildings.
• Public education and preparedness are emphasized as critical components of fire safety, with initiatives like Community Resilience Days and training programs to educate residents on fire prevention and emergency response.
• The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) is committed to improving firefighting capabilities in high-rise buildings, including the use of fire lifts and regular reviews of fire safety codes.
• Community engagement efforts, such as the Fire Safety Kakis initiative, aim to support vulnerable populations, particularly the elderly, in understanding evacuation procedures and ensuring their safety during emergencies.

Yip Hon Weng questioned the Minister for National Development about the number of BTO projects with waiting times over five years, reasons for the delays, maximum wait times, and how HDB is using technology to improve construction productivity. Chee Hong Tat reported that there are 120 BTO projects underway, with 12 exceeding five years, the longest being close to six years. Longer timelines are attributed to stringent environmental measures and challenging ground conditions. HDB is utilizing technology, including standardization, robotics, and digital platforms, to reduce waiting times, resulting in 70% of flats launched in the past three years having waiting times of four years or less.