Housing & estates — Topics

3 Apr 2024

Update on HDB Blocks with Flats without Same Floor Lift Access and Projected Number of HDB Blocks to be Offered Lift Upgrading Programme

Since July 2023, two more HDB blocks have completed lift upgrading, leaving 31 blocks currently undergoing works.
HDB has upgraded over 5,000 blocks since 2001, with 99% of blocks now having direct lift access.
Over the next three years, 31 blocks with ongoing works are projected to be progressively completed.
No new blocks are projected to be offered the Lift Upgrading Programme beyond those already in progress.
The remaining 99% coverage indicates minimal blocks still lack same-floor lift access.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

3 Apr 2024

Costs of HDB Green Towns Programme and its Effects on Service and Conservancy Charges for Residents

Hazel Poa asked for the fixed and recurring costs of the HDB Green Towns Programme components and whether residents would bear these costs through higher service and conservancy charges.
Desmond Lee explained that rooftop solar panels are financed, installed, and maintained by vendors at no cost to Town Councils, with any excess energy fed back to the grid and potential savings on common service electricity bills.
Smart LED lighting costs are borne by Town Councils, but these lights can cut energy use by up to 60% compared to conventional LEDs.
EV charging points are installed and maintained by operators, with costs recovered directly from users and not from Town Councils.
The overall programme aims to reduce energy consumption by 15% by 2030, and Town Councils may review service and conservancy charges based on their financial sustainability, but the initiatives are designed to lower operational costs.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

3 Apr 2024

Joint Site Inspections before Handover of Duties for Maintenance of HDB Blocks' Parking and Common Spaces

HDB conducts joint inspections with Town Councils to identify defects before handing over the maintenance of common property in residential blocks under the Town Councils Act.
For HDB car parks, which are not common property, joint inspections are typically held when a car park is completed and opened, with phased inspections sometimes conducted for phased openings due to practicality.
There have been instances where phased car park openings did not involve joint inspections for every phase, but Town Councils are informed to report any defects discovered after handover for HDB to address with contractors.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

3 Apr 2024

HDB's Considerations for Housing Loan Applications and Loan Quantums

HDB assesses housing loan applications based on job stability, CPF contributions, monthly cash savings, and guidelines including a maximum loan tenure of 25 years, a loan-to-value limit of 80%, a maximum Mortgage Servicing Ratio of 30%, and an interest rate floor of 3.0%.
The HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) letter provides upfront clarity on eligibility for flat purchases, CPF housing grants, and HDB loans, using an assessment of average monthly incomes over the past 12 months at the time of HFE application to ensure consistent and fair evaluation.
Reassessments due to changes in circumstances, such as increased earnings, may affect loan and grant amounts, so income and grant assessments are aligned at a single point in time; couples with deferred income assessment may have evaluations closer to key collection and benefit from reduced downpayment schemes.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

3 Apr 2024

Data on Racial Groups of Families in Public Rental Flats who Became HDB Flat Owners from 2014 to 2023

Leong Mun Wai asked for a racial breakdown of the 8,300 families who moved from public rental to HDB ownership from 2014 to 2023 and for the number of Malay households in one- and two-room rental flats in 2023 compared to 2020.
Desmond Lee responded that 44% of the 8,300 households that progressed to ownership were Chinese, 39% Malay, 15% Indian, and 2% other races.
He also stated that as of December 2023, about 18,300 Malay households lived in one- and two-room rental flats, with their proportion in public rental remaining at about 35%, similar to 2020.
The government will continue working with agencies and community partners to support public rental households through holistic social support aimed at achieving stability, self-reliance, and social mobility toward home ownership.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

3 Apr 2024

Data on Appeal Rates for All HDB Schemes

HDB received an average of 177,000 appeals per year from 2019 to 2023, which is a subset of the 854,000 pieces of annual correspondence including feedback and enquiries.
Appeals cover diverse issues such as eligibility for flat purchases, housing loans, grants, maintenance, rental housing, and parking offences, with outcomes assessed based on individual circumstances.
The Ministry and HDB regularly review housing policies to meet evolving needs, but some appeals arise even with clear frameworks, such as requests for BTO flat priority allocation.
HDB aims to streamline officers' workload to focus on productive service, noting that housing-related appeals constitute the bulk of the appeal load after parking offence appeals.
The government acknowledges the need to balance appeal processing efficiency with fairness, considering changing circumstances of appellants while reviewing schemes to reduce unnecessary appeals.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

3 Apr 2024

Job, Business and Income Information Required by HDB for Housing Loan Applications

Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked what job, business, or income information HDB requires for housing loan applications and whether there are differences between employed and self-employed applicants.
Senior Minister of State Tan Kiat How explained that HDB assesses applicants based on average monthly income over 12 months using CPF contributions and tax notices, while self-employed persons additionally provide credit reports and bank statements due to cash payment habits.
Dennis Tan inquired if HDB considers annual income or income trends for self-employed applicants, and Tan responded that HDB reviews cases individually to ensure mortgage affordability, encouraging flagging specific cases for flexibility.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

2 Apr 2024

Trends in Monthly Incomes of Young Couples Applying for BTO Flats and Considerations for Income Limit Adjustments

Mr Zhulkarnain asked if the Ministry tracks the combined monthly income trends of young couples (20–35 years old) applying for BTO flats and whether HDB will consider raising the BTO income limit to include more applicants.
Minister Desmond Lee stated that the income ceiling (e.g., $14,000 for families) is set to prioritize limited subsidized flats for lower- and middle-income households, covering about 80% of Singaporean households.
Data from 2018–2022 shows the median monthly household income of couples (21–35 years old) who booked BTO flats was stable, ranging from $5,200 to $5,800.
Income ceilings are reviewed regularly considering factors like household incomes and housing market conditions, with a focus on protecting lower-income households from increased competition.
HDB will continue monitoring the market to ensure public housing remains affordable and accessible.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

2 Apr 2024

Total Number of Multi-storey Car Parks in HDB Estates and Proportion of Red Season Parking Lots

As of February 2024, there are 1,094 multi-storey car parks (MSCPs) in HDB estates.
About 30% of these MSCPs have designated red parking lots, with the majority not requiring them due to sufficient white and bi-coloured lots.
Bi-coloured lots are reserved for season parking holders during specified hours, and HDB monitors car park utilization to balance resident and visitor parking needs.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

2 Apr 2024

Criteria to Grant Deadline Extension for Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty for Cuscaden Reserve and Other Projects

The government considers case-by-case requests for extensions to the ABSD remission timelines for housing developers, with details kept confidential, and has approved extensions for 44 projects (12% of those with deadlines from 2021 to 2023) due to extenuating circumstances like unforeseen site-specific delays.
Extensions are granted to ensure timely development and sale of residential units while encouraging prudent land bidding, with most developers meeting timelines even after COVID-19 relief measures.
The criteria for approving such requests focus on whether delays are beyond the developer's control and are unforeseen, as seen in the appeal approvals for specific projects.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

2 Apr 2024

Use of Private Development's Management or Sinking Funds for Construction of Sheltered Walkways to Nearest Bus Stops

Gerald Giam asked whether management corporations can use management or sinking funds to build sheltered walkways from their developments to nearby bus stops for resident safety and convenience.
Desmond Lee stated that management corporations can only use funds for works within their development boundaries, as there are no legal provisions for external projects.
For walkways outside their boundaries, management corporations must approach the Land Transport Authority, which will assess each request individually.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

2 Apr 2024

Determining Allotment of Red Seasoned Parking Lots in Multi-storey Car Parks

Dennis Tan asked about the policy for deciding when to have fully red season parking lots and how many to allocate in HDB multi-storey car parks.
Desmond Lee explained that HDB prioritizes resident parking needs, considering factors like dwelling units, flat types, and demand, with red lots introduced only when there is sustained high demand from both season and visitor parking.
About 70% of HDB car parks do not need red lots because white and bi-coloured lots suffice, and HDB monitors usage to balance season and visitor parking capacity.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

2 Apr 2024

Government Advisories on Funding by Private Developments for Sheltered Walkways that Connect to Nearest Bus Stops

Gerald Giam Yean Song asked whether LTA advises residential MCSTs to fund sheltered walkways to bus stops on LTA-managed land when requested by residents.
Chee Hong Tat confirmed LTA collaborates with developers to fund linkways beyond developments to transport nodes when not covered by guidelines.
LTA officers erroneously applied this developer practice to residential MCSTs, advising them to fund walkways outside their strata boundary.
Such advice was incorrect as it overlooked the Building Maintenance and Strata Management Act, and LTA has taken steps to prevent future errors.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

2 Apr 2024

Update on Goal to Keep House Price-to-Income Ratio of Four for HDB BTO Flat Buyers

Ms Hazel Poa asked whether the government still aims for a House Price-to-Income ratio of four for HDB BTO flat buyers, a goal first announced in 2013.
Minister Desmond Lee affirmed the government’s commitment to housing affordability and stated they monitor a range of indicators, including the Mortgage Servicing Ratio (MSR), which is considered a better measure than the HPI.
The government adjusts subsidies as needed to keep BTO flat prices affordable, and over 90% of first-timer families with HDB loans had an MSR below 25% last year, indicating manageable mortgage payments.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

2 Apr 2024

Planning Required before Public Announcement of Voluntary Early Redevelopment Scheme

Hazel Poa asked about the planning stages, current status, and commencement of studies and consultations for the Voluntary Early Redevelopment Scheme (VERS) before full public details are released.
Desmond Lee explained that VERS planning is an iterative, long-term process involving town rejuvenation, infrastructure upgrades, and consideration of construction capacity and resident needs.
The Ministry is working through the VERS package, mechanics, and processes to ensure adequate housing options and is will share details with the public in due course.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

2 Apr 2024

ComCare Support for Those Who Do Not Stay in Public Rental Housing and Extension of ComLink+ To Them

Ms Mariam Jaafar asked about the number of families receiving ComCare support without public rental housing and whether ComLink+ could be extended to them.
Senior Parliamentary Secretary Eric Chua revealed that around 20,000 households, or half of ComCare recipients in 2022-2023, do not live in public rental housing, with ComLink+ set to be offered to 3,000 eligible families over three years.
The extension of ComLink+ to these families depends on the success of the pilot program, after which MSF will consider further expansion to other lower-income groups.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

2 Apr 2024

Increasing Quantum and Income Ceiling of HDB's Open Market Rental Voucher Scheme for Lower-income Families and In Response to Higher Rentals

The government introduced a one-year PPHS Open Market Voucher Scheme starting July 2024, offering $300 monthly to eligible lower-income families renting in the open market, with a $7,000 income ceiling, to provide temporary relief amid rising rents.
Open market rents for HDB flats increased significantly—by 35% in 2022 and 10% in 2023—due to supply constraints and post-pandemic demand, prompting measures like doubling PPHS rental flats to 4,000 units by 2025.
The minister stated no plans to raise the voucher quantum or income ceiling, emphasizing the need to avoid inflating rents further, but will consider case-by-case assistance for households with exceptional circumstances.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

7 Mar 2024

Review of HDB Flat Size Eligibility Criterion for Silver Support Scheme

The government defends the use of HDB flat type, particularly ownership of 5-room or larger flats, as an eligibility criterion for the Silver Support Scheme, as it indicates greater resources, but allows for case-by-case appeals for seniors with unique circumstances such as short remaining leases or low annual values.
To enhance support, the government has increased the qualifying per capita household income threshold in the 2024 Budget and is rolling out other measures like the Majulah Package and enhancements to Workfare and retirement schemes.
During the debate, a member suggested a graduated eligibility system based on flat size and lease length to avoid excluding seniors in larger flats with no savings or family support, but the government maintained its focus on targeted support for the bottom 20-30% of seniors through comprehensive measures.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

6 Mar 2024

Plans for and Implementation of Best Practices for Community Gardens

NParks collaborates with HDB, Town Councils, and community groups to establish community gardens in housing estates through various programmes, targeting 3,000 gardens by 2030, while considering site suitability and resident comfort.
Community garden plots are managed and allocated by Residents' Networks under the People's Association, with maintenance handled by residents to ensure equitable sharing.
NParks promotes best practices via the GardeningSG portal, design guides, and inclusive programmes like wheelchair-accessible planters and community events to raise awareness on cleanliness, inclusivity, and community involvement.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

6 Mar 2024

Proportion of Resale HDB Flats Transacted with Cash-Over-Valuation (COV) and Quantum of COVs

Approximately 18% of resale HDB flat buyers paid Cash-Over-Valuation (COV) after the CPF Housing Grant enhancements in February 2023, down from 29% in 2022 and 36% in 2021, with the median COV remaining at $0.
The CPF Housing Grant was increased to $80,000 for first-timer families buying 2- to 4-room flats and $50,000 for 5-room or larger flats, with similar enhancements for singles, to provide more support for first-timer buyers.
The Ministry declined to make the CPF Housing Grant conditional on COV or implement a tiered system linked to COV, citing enforcement challenges due to the "willing buyer-willing seller" nature of transactions and the risk of collusion between buyers and sellers.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source