Housing & estates

• Ms. Nadia Ahmad Samdin proposed that HDB flat owners nearing the end of their Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) should be allowed to apply for a Flat Eligibility (HFE) letter in advance.
• The HFE letter assesses eligibility for purchasing new or resale flats and determines potential loan and grant amounts based on various criteria, including MOP completion.
• Currently, flat owners can only apply for the HFE letter after their MOP has expired, with applications processed quickly by HDB.
• The Ministry of National Development will consider the suggestion during regular policy reviews to better address the housing needs of Singaporeans.

• The average number of lift faults in HDB estates from 2021 to 2024 is approximately 5.5 per lift per year, including both breakdowns and minor issues.
• HDB does not impose financial penalties on lift suppliers for failing to meet performance standards; instead, non-compliant suppliers are restricted from future tenders.
• All HDB lift suppliers have met the stipulated performance standards during the specified period.
• Proper servicing and maintenance of lifts are crucial for reliable operations, with Town Councils responsible for managing lift maintenance.
• Town Councils may consider including performance requirements in their service agreements with lift maintenance contractors.

• Ms. Nadia Ahmad Samdin inquired about the average waiting time for Goodwill Repair Assistance cases for HDB flats as of January 2025, questioning if it has improved from the previous four to six months during the pandemic.
• Minister Desmond Lee acknowledged that the pandemic caused an industry-wide worker shortage, leading to longer waiting times for repairs.
• He reported that the average waiting time has improved, with approximately 80% of cases now completed within four months.
• The Housing and Development Board is prioritizing cases with severe issues, such as spalling concrete or ceiling leaks.

• The debate focused on the challenges faced by seniors and residents with mobility issues living in HDB flats without direct lift access, particularly those in segmented units.
• Members of Parliament raised concerns about the limited options available for these residents, especially regarding the Lift Access Housing Grant (LHG) and the difficulties in applying for new flats with direct lift access.
• The Minister for National Development highlighted existing support measures, including the LHG and the Senior Priority Scheme, while acknowledging the need for ongoing review and potential enhancements to assist affected residents.
• Suggestions were made for exploring innovative solutions and increasing subsidies for lift upgrades in blocks that currently lack direct access, as well as addressing the technical challenges involved.
• The Minister encouraged residents with pressing mobility needs to approach HDB for personalized assistance and to share any innovative ideas for improving access solutions.

Hazel Poa queried about the time periods between application and booking dates for HDB BTO flats. Desmond Lee reported that for the 2024 BTO exercises conducted in February and June, the lower quartile, median, and upper quartile periods were approximately 4.5, 5.1, and 5.7 months, respectively. The allocation rules have been tightened, reducing the non-selection rate from 40% to about 19%, which has improved the speed of flat bookings. Consequently, HDB will now shortlist applicants up to 200% of flat supply instead of 300%, enhancing system efficiency and allowing applicants to make earlier housing plans if needed.

Carrie Tan questioned whether the Ministry for National Development provides funding to Town Councils for municipal maintenance related to climate wear and tear, such as waterproofing repairs for older HDB buildings. Desmond Lee responded that Town Councils are responsible for maintenance, with HDB offering enhanced support, including inspections and technical advice for complex issues. The Government allocates nearly $260 million annually to support Town Council maintenance costs, and HDB co-shares 50% of exterior repair costs under a specific scheme. Town Councils are encouraged to manage their finances wisely and set aside contingency funds for unexpected repairs.

He Ting Ru questioned the Minister for National Development about the status of approved applicants for public rental flats as of December 31, 2024, including those who have not yet selected their flats and the waiting time broken down by regions. Desmond Lee reported that approximately 800 approved applicants were awaiting allocation, with 40% having previously declined to select a flat. He stated there is no regional variation in waiting times, which is currently an average of five months, a decrease from eight months in 2021 and 2022. The HDB is actively working to further reduce waiting times and will expedite applications for those in urgent need.

Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked if divorced or widowed foreigners with a Singapore Citizen child under 21 could keep or purchase HDB flats to meet housing needs. Desmond Lee clarified that non-residents cannot purchase HDB flats, but a divorced or widowed non-resident can retain a matrimonial flat if they include an eligible Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident family member. If widowed, the flat may be held in trust for the child until they turn 21, and if other options are unavailable, they may be allowed to rent a public rental flat.

Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked if there are plans to collaborate with waste collection and recycling companies to increase the capacity of rubbish and recycling bins in public spaces, including HDB estates, to improve waste handling. Grace Fu Hai Yien responded that the National Environment Agency (NEA) monitors waste disposal trends and coordinates with Public Waste Collectors (PWCs) to ensure timely collection, which maintains estate cleanliness. NEA has the authority to increase collection frequency when needed but has no plans to expand the size of the bins. The public is encouraged to practice proper waste disposal etiquette to maximize bin capacity.

Chua Kheng Wee Louis requested information from the Minister for National Development regarding average land prices for state land sold to HDB over the last five years, broken down by district, and cumulative changes in public housing land value during that period. Desmond Lee responded that HDB purchases land at fair market value determined by the Chief Valuer, with costs for non-mature estates ranging from $907 million to $2.6 billion and for mature estates from $1.3 billion to $5 billion annually from FY 2019 to 2023. He noted that total land costs fluctuate based on market conditions and land characteristics, and HDB does not track year-to-year fluctuations in public housing land value.

He Ting Ru asked the Minister for National Development about the possible repurposing of void decks and common spaces in HDB estates for uses like eateries. Desmond Lee responded that these spaces are primarily designed for social interaction and community bonding, featuring facilities like childcare and eldercare centres. HDB reviews the use of common spaces with community input and evaluates proposals for commercial use based on community needs, potential disturbances to residents, and regulatory requirements. The evaluation process is consistent across both mature and non-mature estates.

Gerald Giam Yean Song asked about interim housing applications from elderly residents or childless couples waiting for HDB BTO flats, the approval rates, and plans for more subsidized rental options. Desmond Lee explained that the Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS) is the main scheme for subsidized rentals, with supply increasing from 800 in 2021 to over 2,000 currently, and further to 4,000 units this year. In 2024, 30% of childless couples were successful in the PPHS, a marked improvement from 2022. Interim rental housing is available on a case-by-case basis, but HDB does not track the number of requests, having assisted 59 childless couples and 107 elderly households in the last three years. HDB is also increasing Shorter Waiting Time (SWT) flats to better meet demand for housing.

• The debate centered around the performance of Singapore's marriage and parenthood policies following the alarming drop in the birth rate to a historic low of 0.97. Members called for a comprehensive review and innovation of these policies to better support families.
• Various parliament members highlighted essential areas for improvement including enhancing parental leave, increasing childcare subsidies, and expanding accessibility to affordable housing to alleviate financial burdens on families.
• The importance of creating a supportive ecosystem that includes flexible work arrangements (FWAs), gender equality in caregiving roles, and infrastructural support for various family structures, such as blended and single-parent families, was emphasized.
• The overarching narrative stressed that building a family-friendly Singapore requires a concerted whole-of-society approach, with active participation from the government, community, and businesses to foster an environment conducive to marriage and parenthood.
• Suggestions included implementing community programs to facilitate socializing among singles, reevaluating student care assistance for better affordability, and encouraging collaborative parenting through improved workplace policies and public awareness campaigns.

• Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim inquired about the status of additional ballot chances for first-time families with multiple unsuccessful BTO applications in non-mature estates under the new housing classification framework.
• Minister Desmond Lee confirmed that first-time families receive priority in BTO allocations, with 90% of first-time parents and married couples successfully invited to book flats in non-mature estates since the new scheme's launch.
• Under the new framework, first-time families with two or more unsuccessful applications can receive additional ballot chances, with up to five for first-time parents and married couples, and four for other first-time applicants.
• The previous non-mature estate framework's additional ballot chances do not carry over to the new classification system, but priority measures remain in place for first-time applicants.
• As the new framework has only had one BTO exercise, there is currently no data on the success rates for applicants at their second or third attempts.

• Sylvia Lim inquired about the policy regarding HDB flat owners with annulled marriages selling their flats instead of surrendering them.
• Desmond Lee responded that typically, owners must surrender their flats if they cannot form an eligible family nucleus post-annulment.
• He noted that in the last five years, HDB has permitted the sale of flats in a limited number of cases due to significant financial difficulties and challenging family circumstances.

• Ms. Poh Li San raised a question about allowing owners of two-room HDB flats to rent out their bedrooms due to financial difficulties.
• Minister Desmond Lee explained that current regulations require flat owners to reside in their HDB flats, and since two-room flats have only one bedroom, there is no spare bedroom available for rent.
• The Ministry acknowledges the financial hardships faced by some two-room flat owners and is open to considering individual appeals for renting out their bedroom on a case-by-case basis.

• The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) announced plans to broaden the use of assistance dogs to include persons with physical disabilities and those who are deaf and hard-of-hearing.
• This extension will allow these assistance dogs access to public housing, public transport, and licensed food establishments in a phased manner.
• The Housing and Development Board (HDB) has updated its policies to permit assistance dogs in HDB flats.
• MSF is collaborating with various agencies to implement the necessary changes for the inclusion of these assistance dogs in public spaces.

• Mr. Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim inquired about updates on providing direct lift access to certain blocks in the Keat Hong division that currently lack it.
• Minister Desmond Lee referred to a previous written reply from September 2024 regarding similar inquiries and stated there are no new updates.
• The Minister assured that the Housing and Development Board (HDB) will continue to seek solutions for residents with mobility challenges.
• Residents with accessibility needs are encouraged to approach HDB for suitable options.

• Mr. Gan Thiam Poh proposed a new system for HDB to rank unsuccessful first-time flat applicants based on their previous attempts and allow them another chance to choose available flats in BTO exercises.
• Minister Desmond Lee emphasized the government's commitment to affordable housing, noting an increase in flat supply and a decrease in application rates, which has improved first-timer families' chances of securing flats.
• The introduction of the First-Timer (Parents and Married Couples) priority category aims to support families with greater housing needs, providing them with additional ballot chances.
• Measures have been implemented to enhance the efficiency of the balloting system, resulting in a significant reduction in the non-selection rate of applicants.
• Despite the various support measures for first-time applicants, the government has no plans to implement the proposed system for allowing additional opportunities for unsuccessful applicants.

• Pritam Singh inquired about the eligibility of applicants who have been unsuccessful in previous BTO applications for additional ballot chances under the new flat classification framework.
• Desmond Lee confirmed that first-time families receive priority in the new framework, with a significant percentage successfully booking flats in recent exercises.
• Under the new framework, first-time families who have failed in two or more applications for Standard flats are granted additional ballot chances for future applications.
• First-time parents and married couples can accumulate up to five ballot chances, while other first-time applicants can accumulate up to four.
• There is currently no data on the success rates of applicants in their second or third attempts under the new classification framework, as only one BTO exercise has been conducted so far.