Housing & estates

Hany Soh raised questions about the traffic impact assessment (TIA) conducted by LTA for the Woodgrove Edge BTO project, specifically asking if LTA conducted its own independent assessment. Chee Hong Tat confirmed that LTA did conduct a TIA and implemented measures to manage increased traffic, including directing motorists to exit via lower-traffic roads. LTA will collaborate with HDB to monitor traffic and consider feedback from residents regarding the changes.

Gan Thiam Poh asked if the National Environment Agency would help equip waste collection trucks with surveillance cameras to address illegal parking in restricted areas near HDB flats' refuse chutes. Grace Fu Hai Yien responded that public waste collectors generally do not have significant issues with illegal parking and can use existing workarounds. When problems occur, workers can document the situation and report it using the available apps and hotlines.

Gerald Giam Yean Song asked about the number of complaints HDB received regarding defects in resale flats post-transaction, seller disclosure obligations for serious defects, and buyer recourse for undisclosed defects. Minister Desmond Lee stated that HDB does not track such complaints and that transactions follow the caveat emptor principle, meaning buyers should inspect flats before purchase. Sellers must truthfully address any defects identified by buyers, and false information can lead to misrepresentation claims. HDB conducts inspections for unauthorised renovations before transactions, and both parties should complete a final inspection to ensure satisfactory conditions before concluding the sale. Buyers are encouraged to seek independent legal advice and consider hiring professionals for thorough inspections.

Gerald Giam Yean Song requested data from the Minister for National Development on appeals for subsidised rental HDB flats from 2021 to 2023, including the number of appeals granted and the availability of more flats for married couples without children, elderly couples, and singles awaiting BTO flats. Desmond Lee responded that HDB does not have specific breakdowns for the appellants but highlighted that they have increased the supply of subsidised rental flats, notably doubling the provision under the Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS) from 800 to 2,000 units as demand surged during the COVID-19 pandemic. HDB has assisted 146 married couples without children, 72 elderly couples, and 211 singles with interim rental housing over the last three years, and while they can't provide flats to all applicants due to limited supply, they are prioritizing those with greater needs. Additionally, waiting times for BTO flats have been reduced, with over 80% of flats launched recently having waiting times of three-and-a-half years or less.

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked about the tenant distribution of HDB coffee shop stalls between food and beverage chains and independent operators, as well as the consideration of resident proximity in tender evaluations. Desmond Lee stated that out of 374 coffee shops rented by HDB, 167 are operated by chains and 207 by independent operators. HDB has been using Price-Quality tenders since 2018, emphasizing quality factors, but does not currently consider the number of residents within two kilometers in the tender evaluation process.

Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked the Minister for National Development about the impact of the Temporary Relaxation of Occupancy Cap on rentals for 4-room and larger HDB flats. Desmond Lee reported that from January 22 to March 31, 2024, HDB approved 18,800 rental applications for these flats, allowing up to eight unrelated persons to reside in them. The average number of unrelated persons per flat was four, and 3.6% of the approvals, equating to 670 cases, involved more than six unrelated persons.

Murali Pillai asked if EASE 2.0 subsidies could be extended to children of eligible seniors living with them on a rotational basis, ensuring total subsidies do not exceed that of a single household. Desmond Lee responded that Singapore Citizen households can apply for EASE 2.0 if a family member is 65 or older, or 60 to 64 with daily living assistance needs. Both seniors and their children can receive full EASE subsidies for their respective HDB flats without requiring the seniors to be listed as occupiers in their children's flats.

Kwek Hian Chuan Henry asked about increasing the eligible monthly household income ceiling for purchasing an HDB Build-To-Order flat in light of rising household incomes. Desmond Lee referred to a similar question raised by another member on April 2, 2024, stating that there have been no updates or changes since then. He suggested referring to the previous written reply regarding this matter.

Denise Phua Lay Peng asked whether senior-friendly fittings from the HDB's EASE 2.0 programme could be extended to eligible elderly retirees in non-HDB estates. Desmond Lee responded that the senior-friendly features under the HIP and EASE 2.0 programme are specifically designed for HDB flats due to their standardized layouts. He acknowledged the need to explore ways to better support seniors in private homes as their designs vary significantly.

• Don Wee inquired about the demolition timeline for three semi-permanent Quick Build Dormitories at Choa Chu Kang Grove, built to curb COVID-19 among migrant workers.
• Tan See Leng confirmed the dormitories are slated for demolition when their leases expire in 2025.
• A temporary lease extension may be considered if dormitory bed shortages persist in 2025.

• From January 2021 to December 2023, HDB received 18 appeals from applicants with shared care and control who were unable to obtain their ex-spouse's consent to buy an HDB flat, with 11 approved.
• In the same period, HDB approved eight cases for renting an HDB flat from such applicants who could not get their ex-spouse's consent.
• HDB does not reject rental applications solely because an applicant cannot obtain their ex-spouse's consent.

• There are 1,143 HDB car parks with bi-coloured lots, most reserved for season parking holders overnight from 7 pm to 7 am on weekdays and all day on Sundays and public holidays, with localised variations communicated via sign plates or the HDB InfoWEB.
• Only two car parks have daytime reserved periods (7 am to 6 pm on weekdays) for season parking holders, catering to local needs, and most users there are familiar with the rules due to consistent signage.
• The arrangement is designed to meet localised season parking needs, and HDB uses clear signage and online information to avoid public confusion, as norms are not universally set by the colour combination.

• Murali Pillai sought an update on HDB's 2021 barrier-free parking pilot, its compatibility with ERP 2.0, and the system's effectiveness in detecting unpaid parking charges.
• Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim asked for progress on implementing the Parking@HDB smart system beyond pilot sites and lessons learned on awareness and enforcement.
• Desmond Lee confirmed the Parking@HDB pilot started in January 2021 in Punggol and expanded to other sites, using smart cameras for enforcement, reducing illegal parking by about 60% with positive motorist feedback.
• The system is compatible with ERP 2.0, allowing parking payments via the LTA's Onboard Unit, and HDB is refining it before broader rollout.

• For 2021 to 2023, HDB issued 50,685, 52,270, and 54,303 renovation approvals respectively, while no data is available for private properties as BCA only regulates works affecting structural safety.
• The main environmental impacts from renovation works are noise, dust, and waste, which are addressed under the Environmental Protection and Management Act and the Environmental Public Health Act.
• HDB requires contractors to limit noisy activities to weekdays between 9 am and 5 pm and dispose of debris daily at NEA-approved sites, while private condos may set their own by-laws to manage disamenities.

• Christopher de Souza proposed that the Ministry identify and release under-utilised public spaces to help social service agencies reach more persons with disabilities.
• Masagos Zulkifli affirmed that MSF considers factors like outreach and accessibility when locating services, including common spaces like HDB void decks.
• MSF regularly invites agencies to bid for available HDB or SLA premises to run self-funded social programmes, including those for persons with disabilities.

• Miss Cheryl Chan requested an update on the Parking@HDB initiative, feedback on pre-enforcement alerts, areas for improvement, and the timeline for wider roll-out.
• Desmond Lee reported that Parking@HDB was piloted in January 2021 in Punggol and expanded to other car parks, using smart cameras to alert motorists of illegal parking and allow automatic payment via an app.
• The pilot showed a 60% reduction in illegal parking, with no adverse feedback on alerts and motorists appreciating time savings and convenience from automatic fee deduction.
• HDB is refining the system, welcomes feedback, and will assess the pilot outcomes before deciding on extending it to other HDB car parks.

• The Ministry of National Development reported that HDB received about 5,300 appeals from individuals who were unsuccessful in obtaining HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) letters between May 2023 and March 2024.
• Common reasons for unsuccessful applications included failing to meet eligibility conditions such as minimum citizenship requirements, minimum age, or owning private residential property within the last 15 months.
• Approximately one in eight of these appeals were approved due to changes in circumstances or extenuating factors.

• Ms Ng Ling Ling asked whether an enhanced version of the Estate Upgrading Programme (EUP) could include more senior-friendly features inside homes for older residents in private estates, similar to programmes for public housing.
• Desmond Lee responded that the Age Well SG programme will enhance living environments in both HDB and private estates, with the EUP expanded to include senior-friendly features like rest points, ramps, fitness trails, and therapeutic gardens for selected private estates.
• A new EUP for Silver Estates will target estates with higher senior concentrations for senior-friendly enhancements, and management corporations can use the Accessibility Fund for common area upgrades in private developments.
• For within-home features, HDB’s programmes are tailored for public housing, but designs vary in private homes, so further study is needed to support seniors aging in place in private residences.

• Foo Mee Har asked the Ministry for National Development to consider allowing residents of ageing HDB flats (more than 50 but less than 70 years old) with significant deterioration or recurring maintenance issues to request redevelopment under the Voluntary Early Redevelopment Scheme (VERS) if there is sufficient support.
• Desmond Lee explained that flat owners, Town Councils, and HDB each have roles in maintenance, with existing measures like the Home Improvement Programme for flats around 30 years old and another upgrading round at 60-70 years old to keep flats liveable as they age.
• The Minister noted that VERS aims to stage redevelopment of ageing towns in an orderly manner, considering resident feedback, minimising dis-amenities to newer parts of towns, and ensuring construction capacity for both VERS and new housing demand.
• Details on the VERS package, including mechanics for polling and relocation, are being worked out to ensure residents' needs are met with sufficient new homes and housing options at the right time.
• More details on VERS will be shared in due course as plans are finalised.

• Gan Thiam Poh queried the Minister for National Development about the number of HDB flat purchases over the past decade where one spouse was listed as owner and the other as essential occupier, changes in ownership from co-owners to a single spouse, and data on essential occupiers buying a second private property without Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty.
• Desmond Lee responded that about 3% of all HDB flat purchases in the last 10 years involved one spouse as applicant and the other as essential occupier.
• Since April 2016, HDB flat owners cannot withdraw a spouse from ownership to become an essential occupier except in extenuating circumstances like demise or divorce.
• Within the Minimum Occupation Period, all owners and occupiers of HDB flats are prohibited from purchasing private property.
• HDB does not have data on essential occupiers buying a second private property.