Housing & estates

• Sylvia Lim inquired about the specific pedestrian overhead bridges along Hougang Avenue 3 prioritized for lift installation and the timeline for the works.
• The Minister for Transport, Chee Hong Tat, confirmed that the bridges near Blocks 101, 172, 241, and 248 are prioritized for lift retrofitting.
• The lift installation works are set to begin progressively from the fourth quarter of 2025.

• Mr. Chua Kheng Wee Louis inquired about the number of HDB resale transactions excluded from public platforms and the reasons for their exclusion over the past five years.
• Minister Desmond Lee explained that HDB publishes resale data to ensure market transparency, but excludes atypical transactions that do not reflect standard market conditions, such as SERS replacement flats and transactions between related parties.
• Between 2020 and 2024, approximately 1,000 to 2,000 transactions per year were excluded, representing about 4% to 6% of total annual resale transactions.
• The 127 excluded SERS replacement flat transactions were deemed less relevant for price negotiations due to their longer remaining leases, although they are included in the Resale Price Index calculations.

• Mr. Lim Biow Chuan inquired about the redevelopment plans for the retained HDB flats at Dakota Crescent.
• Minister Desmond Lee stated that the Urban Redevelopment Authority is currently reviewing these plans as part of the Draft Master Plan 2025.
• An update on the redevelopment plans will be provided once the review is completed.

• The Joint Singles Scheme Operator-Run (JSS-OR) pilot was launched in December 2021 to enhance the experience of single tenants in the Public Rental Scheme, accommodating up to 1,000 individuals.
• The pilot features a mix of 1-room and 2-room flats with partitions, allowing for shared living arrangements and support from operators for tenant mediation and assistance.
• Feedback from tenants has been positive, with suggestions for improvements including better flat designs, increased availability of 1-room flats, and more communal spaces for activities and mediation.
• The Housing and Development Board is committed to collaborating with operators and stakeholders to implement these improvements.

• Ms. Joan Pereira and Mr. Liang Eng Hwa raised concerns about the frequency of repairs, common problems, and the reliability of HDB car park gantries.
• The Minister for National Development, Desmond Lee, explained that routine monthly maintenance is conducted on the Electronic Parking System (EPS) in HDB car parks.
• Common issues with the gantries include network connectivity problems, barrier malfunctions, and power failures, with some issues stemming from motorists' cashcard problems.
• Service providers are required to respond to issues within 60 minutes and HDB conducts regular audits to ensure compliance and quality of service.
• HDB is committed to improving the quality and reliability of car park gantries through collaboration with service providers.

• Mr. Leong Mun Wai inquired about the renewal status and terms of the tenancy agreements for 26 and 31 Ridout Road, specifically asking about rental rates compared to other properties in the area.
• The Second Minister for Law, Edwin Tong, stated that the Singapore Land Authority typically keeps tenancy renewal information private but provided details due to public interest.
• The tenancy for 26 Ridout Road was renewed for a third three-year term starting June 2024, with a rental increase assessed by professional valuers, aligning with market rates for similar properties.
• The tenancy for 31 Ridout Road is currently in its second three-year term, which began in October 2022 and has not yet concluded.

• Ms. He Ting Ru questioned the Minister for National Development about the automatic imposition of a new five-year minimum occupation period (MOP) for HDB leaseholders purchasing their ex-spouse's share of the flat.
• Minister Desmond Lee explained that there are two methods for divorcees to take over their ex-spouse's share: a transfer of flat ownership or a resale of part-share, with the latter treated like any typical resale transaction.
• The Housing and Development Board (HDB) generally requires a fresh MOP for all resale transactions, but waives this requirement for most divorce-related cases.
• From 2020 to 2024, HDB approved about 30 waivers for the MOP in divorce cases, although they do not track the total number of waiver requests received.

• Gerald Giam raised concerns about first-time HDB flat applicants who are ineligible for both the Enhanced CPF Housing Grant and the Deferred Income Assessment scheme due to employment and study status.
• Desmond Lee confirmed that the government aims to keep public housing affordable and accessible, with eligible first-timers able to receive significant grants and defer income assessments.
• In 2024, fewer than 200 first-time households aged 30 and below were ineligible for both schemes, representing less than 2% of that demographic.
• The government plans to modify the Deferred Income Assessment scheme in July 2025, allowing only one partner to meet the full-time study or National Service requirement.
• The government is committed to reviewing policies to better support the unique housing needs of young couples.

• Mr. Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap inquired about the criteria for determining the number of lifts in HDB blocks.
• Minister Desmond Lee explained that the Housing and Development Board considers factors like the number and type of units, block layout, and storey count when deciding lift provisions.
• The aim is to ensure adequate lift access and reasonable waiting times for residents while also being cost-effective and space-efficient.
• Compliance with regulatory requirements, including fire safety, is also a key consideration in lift provision.

• The projected number of dwelling units in the HDB Annual Report has increased to 1.61 million due to strong household formation rates and smaller household sizes, reflecting a growing demand for public housing.
• This figure is a planning estimate rather than a target, and it is regularly updated based on various changing factors.
• The government has expanded town boundaries and set aside more residential land to accommodate the increased demand for housing.
• The Minister highlighted that the current housing strategy contrasts with a previous proposal from the Workers' Party that would have significantly reduced the annual building program, potentially leading to housing shortages and higher prices.

• Pritam Singh inquired about the extension of the Sport-in-Precinct scheme to HDB estates managed by opposition Town Councils and the typical budget for such projects.
• Edwin Tong emphasized the government's commitment to providing accessible and affordable public sports facilities across Singapore, including various community centers and sport spaces.
• Currently, there are 10 completed Sport-in-Precinct facilities, with plans for more to be developed, though specific details will be announced later.
• The planning for public sport facilities considers factors like existing facilities, site proximity, population size, and sports popularity.
• The cost of constructing an SIP facility varies based on market conditions and the specific type and size of the facility.

• Mr. Gan Thiam Poh inquired about data on HDB flat owners selling their flats to pay personal debts and subsequently obtaining loans for new flats or applying for rental flats.
• Minister Desmond Lee emphasized that HDB flats are intended for long-term owner-occupation and urged responsible planning before selling.
• The process for selling HDB flats includes registering an Intent to Sell, which encourages sellers to plan their next housing arrangements.
• HDB does not track data on sales specifically for debt repayment, but considers sale proceeds when assessing loan eligibility or rental flat applications.
• Flat owners facing financial difficulties are encouraged to seek assistance from HDB or Credit Counselling Singapore.

• The Single Room Shared Facilities (SRSF) pilot aims to enhance the living experience for singles in the Public Rental Scheme by offering more privacy and reducing social isolation.
• The pilot is currently located at the former Anderson Junior College student hostel, with 1,100 applications received since May 2024, and about half deemed eligible and moving in.
• The Housing and Development Board (HDB) is reviewing the SRSF pilot and considering additional sites, but no specific target number of beds has been established for the next five years.

• Louis Ng Kok Kwang inquired about the number of appeals from divorced parents with shared care seeking to list their child in public housing applications over the past five years.
• Desmond Lee reported that from 2020 to 2024, there was only one appeal received, which was denied due to lack of extenuating circumstances.
• The parents involved in the denied appeal subsequently reached an agreement to have one parent list the child in their application.

• The Second Minister for National Development clarified HDB's policy regarding rental housing applications for individuals undergoing divorce, confirming that applications can be made before divorce finalization under certain conditions.
• HDB requires legally binding documentation on ancillary matters, such as asset division and child custody, to assess eligibility for public rental housing.
• Applications can be considered before an interim judgment if a deed of separation is provided or if there is an urgent need assessed by a social worker.
• A specific case highlighted by the Leader of the Opposition involved a misunderstanding regarding the requirements for applying for rental housing, which was clarified by the Minister.
• HDB is open to reviewing its procedures to be more facilitative for applicants in urgent need of housing during divorce proceedings.

• The Minister for National Development, Mr. Desmond Lee, addressed a typographical error in a previous written answer regarding HDB BTO units.
• The incorrect statistic stated that 9,000 units were launched in non-mature estates from 2020 to 2023, when it should have been 2021 to 2023.
• The corrected statistic indicates that HDB will launch up to 14,000 2-room flexi BTO flats from 2024 to 2026, reflecting a more than 50% increase compared to the corrected previous period.

• The Ministry of Manpower is working to increase the supply of dormitory beds for foreign workers by extending leases, enabling higher occupancy in existing dormitories, and facilitating new dormitory applications.
• Six new purpose-built dormitories with approximately 45,000 beds are planned to be added to the market in the coming years, including a new 2,400-bed facility set to open in early 2026.
• The government emphasizes the need for employers to adopt productivity measures to reduce reliance on migrant workers, as unchecked demand for work permit holders could undermine housing strategies.
• A phased approach is being implemented for upgrading dormitory standards to balance worker welfare with compliance costs for businesses, ensuring that supply shortages do not occur during the transition.
• Ongoing collaboration with the Dormitory Association of Singapore is aimed at matching employers with available bed spaces, contributing to a stable supply and demand balance in the dormitory market.

• The debate focused on the increase in complex water seepage issues in HDB flats, with questions raised about the number of cases reported and the adequacy of staff and resources at HDB to address these issues.
• Concerns were expressed regarding the response time of HDB engineers and the effectiveness of current diagnostic methods for identifying the sources of water seepage, particularly during the monsoon season.
• The Senior Minister of State for National Development highlighted ongoing efforts to improve diagnostic technology and training for Town Councils (TCs) to enhance their capability in managing water seepage cases.
• There was a discussion about the need for better contractor expertise in resolving seepage issues and the potential for increased funding to TCs for preventive measures like re-roofing.
• Some residents reported that recent roof seepage issues may be linked to solar panel installations, prompting inquiries about HDB's plans to address these concerns.

Louis Ng Kok Kwang proposed that the Ministry for National Development consider expanding Project ADORE to allow adopters to own up to two dogs per HDB unit, contingent upon suitability assessments. Desmond Lee explained that Project ADORE aims to rehome mid-sized local mixed-breed dogs in HDB flats to reduce strays. Currently, the Housing and Development (Animals) Rules allow only one dog of an approved breed per HDB flat to maintain a harmonious living environment for all residents. The limitation is intended to balance pet ownership interests with community living considerations.

Hazel Poa requested an update on the construction of hostel-like accommodations for foreign healthcare workers. Ong Ye Kung confirmed that the Ministry of Health and MOH Holdings are establishing these accommodations to assist foreign healthcare workers new to Singapore. By the end of March, there will be capacity to house approximately 2,000 occupants across five sites.