Housing & estates

• Ms. Ng Ling Ling raised concerns about excessive water ingress into lift motor rooms in older HDB blocks during monsoon surges and requested a review and support for Town Councils managing emergency repairs.
• Minister Desmond Lee highlighted that HDB designs lift motor rooms with features to prevent water ingress and emphasized the importance of regular maintenance, especially during monsoon seasons.
• The government provides significant funding to Town Councils for estate maintenance, encouraging them to manage finances prudently to handle unexpected repairs.
• HDB collaborates with Town Councils for inspections and technical support to address drainage issues and adapt to changing weather conditions.

• From 2021 to 2024, approximately 135,000 HDB flats were purchased with housing loans, with 31% of these loans sourced from commercial banks.
• HDB received 397 appeals from homeowners seeking to refinance their loans from commercial banks to HDB loans during the same period.
• HDB offers loans at concessionary rates but does not compete with financial institutions to avoid limiting future financing options for buyers.
• The focus of HDB remains on providing affordable and accessible public housing for Singaporeans.

• Residents in Marsiling and Woodgrove have reported issues with rain entering their HDB flats, particularly affecting those on higher levels, leading to furniture damage and safety concerns.
• The Minister for National Development acknowledged the feedback and noted that rainwater can splash into open areas of flats during heavy downpours.
• HDB has implemented design improvements, such as rain screens and canopies, to mitigate rainwater issues in common areas.
• Flat owners are encouraged to close windows during heavy rain and consider installing blinds, with some modifications requiring HDB approval.
• Residents are advised to consult the HDB InfoWEB for guidance on installation of mitigation measures.

• Mr. Chua Kheng Wee Louis inquired about the breakdown of primary and secondary sale transactions in the private residential market for owner-occupied versus investment properties over the last five years.
• Minister Desmond Lee reported that from 2020 to 2024, owner-occupied private residential properties increased significantly more than non-owner-occupied properties, with owner-occupied units rising from 236,000 to 263,000 and non-owner-occupied units from 166,000 to 174,000.
• The increase in owner-occupied properties is attributed to government measures aimed at prioritizing genuine owner-occupation, such as raising the Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty on second and subsequent property purchases.
• Desmond Lee noted that comparing owner-occupied properties between primary and secondary sales is not meaningful due to the prevalence of uncompleted units in primary sales.

• Liang Eng Hwa raised concerns about the tracking of water seepage incidents in HDB flats during the monsoon season and inquired about the number of cases reported in 2024.
• Desmond Lee clarified that the Ministry of National Development does not track water seepage data as it is reported directly to Town Councils, which maintain the external walls of HDB flats.
• HDB supports Town Councils with joint inspections and technical advice for complex seepage cases and offers training for repairs.
• Town Councils can access the Facade Repairs Co-payment Scheme to share repair costs with HDB.
• HDB is committed to improving the management of seepage issues through research and development of new technologies and repair methods.

• The number of fires in HDB flats due to excessive hoarding has been low over the past five years, with recorded incidents of 0, 3, 6, 9, and 5 from 2020 to 2024.
• Annually, there are approximately 800 to 900 fires in HDB flats, indicating that hoarding-related fires are a small fraction of the total.
• The Hoarding Management Core Group coordinates inter-agency efforts to address severe hoarding cases, prioritizing those that pose public health and safety risks.
• Agencies like the SCDF and HDB work together to ensure fire safety, including creating emergency egress pathways in cluttered units.
• The New Environment Action Team (NEAT) has been established to enhance support for hoarders and improve community relations by involving various government and social service organizations.

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked about the possibility of retrofitting HDB multi-storey carparks to accommodate taller vehicles in newer estates like Sengkang and Punggol. Desmond Lee explained that HDB carparks are designed for standard passenger cars and light goods vehicles, with height limits in place due to safety and resident comfort. Larger commercial vehicles are generally not permitted in HDB carparks, and alternative parking options are available for them. HDB has no plans to retrofit existing multi-storey carparks for taller vehicles, as it would require significant alterations impacting all current users.

Chua Kheng Wee Louis questioned the Minister for National Development about the impact of the revised Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG) on total grants disbursed and the average grant amount for HDB flats. Desmond Lee explained that the EHG, increased on 20 August 2024, now offers up to $120,000 for families and $60,000 for singles, with more for lower-income households. Data on BTO flats under the new framework is unavailable as the first exercise post-enhancement has not occurred yet. For resale flats, approximately $12 million in EHG has been disbursed since the enhancement, with increases ranging from $2,500 to $40,000 for qualifying households.

Hany Soh questioned the Minister for National Development about how the HDB balances public housing needs with environmental preservation related to the Environmental Impact Assessment Report for the Woodlands N1 site. Desmond Lee referenced a previous response given on 7 January 2025 regarding housing developments in Sembawang and Woodlands. He suggested reviewing the official report for detailed information on timelines and environmental assessments.

Lim Biow Chuan asked if HDB would allow Community Care Apartment applicants to choose their lease tenure during flat selection instead of during the eligibility application process. Desmond Lee explained that Community Care Apartments are designed for seniors over 65, offering flexible lease lengths between 15 and 35 years based on the age of the youngest applicant/spouse at the time of eligibility application. This approach ensures fairness across different projects, as flat selection timings can vary, affecting buyers' financial planning. Those with special circumstances can appeal to HDB for consideration of different lease tenure options. HDB will also consider feedback during regular policy reviews to address diverse household needs.

Gan Thiam Poh raised questions about the adequacy of HDB and public car parks in light of the upcoming increase of 20,000 COEs and the maximum car population increase that would necessitate further adjustments to parking facilities. Desmond Lee clarified that the Land Transport Authority will incrementally release the COEs starting February 2025, with this increase representing about 2% of the current vehicle population. He assured that national public car parks have enough capacity to support the expected rise in season parking demand, with most residential car parks having over 10% of lots unallocated. Lee acknowledged occasional local shortages in parking and stated that monitoring and demand management measures are implemented to address these issues.

Lim Biow Chuan asked if beneficiaries inheriting HDB flats must occupy the flat for the minimum occupation period (MOP) from the date of the deceased’s ownership or their own date of inheritance. Desmond Lee clarified that beneficiaries can sell or return the flat if they choose not to occupy it, but if they take ownership, the MOP applies as it does for all owners. If beneficiaries were already occupying the flat before the original owner's death, the MOP starts from then; otherwise, they must fulfill a new MOP upon taking ownership to maintain the owner-occupation intent of public housing.

Yip Hon Weng raised concerns about short-term solutions to housing affordability, specifically asking if the government would consider longer-term measures, including a review of the property tax structure and additional subsidies. Chee Hong Tat affirmed the government's commitment to affordable public housing, highlighting grants for first-time and resale HDB flat buyers, and new classifications to ensure affordability. He also noted past cooling measures to stabilize property prices and explained the progressive nature of the property tax system, which will see adjustments in 2025 to reduce taxes for most owner-occupied properties. Additionally, the government has enhanced the Assurance Package to help Singaporeans with living costs.

Jessica Tan Soon Neo asked about the number of reported infringement cases since the relaxation of the occupancy cap allowing larger private residential properties to house up to eight unrelated persons. Desmond Lee reported that from January 22 to October 31, 2024, there were 415 complaints investigated, with 91 properties breaching the occupancy cap. Penalties for violations include warnings, fines up to $5,000, or prosecution with fines up to $200,000 and/or imprisonment. The two properties that exceeded the eight-person cap received warnings and had their registrations revoked for 12 months.

• Ms. Hazel Poa raised the question of whether the Housing and Development Board (HDB) has considered creating non-smoking HDB blocks to protect non-smokers from second-hand smoke.
• Minister Desmond Lee responded that HDB has not studied the feasibility of such blocks due to challenges in enforcing a smoking ban within homes.
• The government emphasizes social responsibility among smokers and encourages them to be considerate of their neighbors regarding second-hand smoke.
• Affected residents are advised to engage with their neighbors to resolve disputes, seek assistance from grassroots leaders, or use mediation services if necessary.
• If disputes remain unresolved, residents may consider legal action through the Community Disputes Resolution Tribunal.

• Ms. Carrie Tan inquired about evidence-based approaches from other countries that the Ministry for Social and Family Development is studying to enhance home ownership and school attendance among lower-income families.
• She highlighted concerns from the latest report indicating that a significant percentage of ComLink+ families ready for home ownership have not moved out of public rental housing, and a low percentage of families with preschool-aged children are attending school regularly.
• Minister Masagos Zulkifli explained that the ComLink+ initiative considers the complex challenges faced by lower-income families and provides support through social workers and family coaches to help set and achieve goals.
• The government is implementing ComLink+ with a focus on practical support rather than further studies, utilizing strategies like financial top-ups to encourage progress in home ownership and education.
• The initiative is still in its early stages, with ongoing efforts to address the specific challenges faced by families regarding home ownership and preschool attendance.

• The Amber Road plot is being rezoned from "Reserved" to "Residential" to meet housing demand driven by changing household trends post-COVID-19.
• The Land Transport Authority has determined that the existing road infrastructure can accommodate the expected increase in traffic due to the new residential development.
• The recent opening of the Tanjong Katong Thomson-East Coast Line Station is expected to further support traffic management in the area.
• The Amber Road area is already well-equipped with public parks and recreational spaces, with plans for a new park along Tanjong Katong Road to enhance local amenities.

• The debate focused on development plans and timelines for housing in the Marsiling, Woodlands, and Sembawang areas, with specific concerns about environmental impacts and endangered species.
• Members of Parliament raised questions regarding the criteria for evaluating mitigation measures in Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and the involvement of independent experts in monitoring these measures.
• The Minister for National Development emphasized the need to balance land use for housing and economic needs with environmental preservation, highlighting the ongoing Draft Master Plan 2025 review.
• The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) is engaging the public for input on development plans, with a focus on sensitive development that retains ecological value.
• Environmental Impact Assessments for the Woodlands N1 and Sembawang N4 sites have been commissioned, with measures proposed to mitigate impacts on local flora and fauna, and compliance will be monitored by independent consultants and regulatory agencies.

• Gerald Giam raised concerns about the impact of income-related rent increases on public rental flat tenants and questioned the Ministry's studies on this issue.
• Desmond Lee clarified that rent increases for public rental flats occur only during tenancy renewals every two to three years and do not affect tenants during their tenancy term.
• In 2024, about 25% of renewing public rental households experienced income growth, with one in five facing a rent increase, averaging $150, which is significantly lower than their median income increase of $1,300.
• The Government aims to support lower-income households with higher subsidies and ensures that rent increases are less than income growth to encourage financial independence.
• The Ministry will continue to review the Public Rental Scheme to ensure it aligns with tenants' needs and circumstances.

Leong Mun Wai questioned why a warning was issued to the contractor for using non-compliant paint that caused algae-stained walls on HDB blocks instead of financial penalties. Desmond Lee explained that the algae issue in Sengkang and Punggol was due to incorrect paint used by contractors, who acted responsibly to rectify the problem after being notified. The Housing and Development Board evaluates each case holistically, considering the severity of the issue and remedial actions before deciding that a warning letter was adequate in this instance.