Housing & estates — Topics

9 Jan 2024

Extension of Retirement Date of 3G Network Pending Upgrading of Town Infrastructure to 4G- or 5G-Compatible Devices

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked if the Government has assessed the impact of the 3G network retirement on town infrastructure, such as lift management devices, and whether an extension could be considered if Town Councils are slow to upgrade to 4G or 5G-compatible devices.
Desmond Lee stated that HDB is replacing all 3G-based Lift Monitoring Devices (LMDs) with 4G-compatible ones by end-2025 through the LMD Enhancement Programme, and that 3G LMDs will remain supported until replaced.
The Government is coordinating with relevant agencies and network operators to ensure a smooth transition, with HDB engaging Town Councils on the scheduling of upgrades.

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9 Jan 2024

Extension of Lift Upgrading Programme to HDB Blocks after Main Upgrading Programme but Still Without Direct Lift Access to Flats

Yip Hon Weng asked whether HDB will extend the Lift Upgrading Programme to blocks that have completed Main Upgrading but still lack direct lift access, and if not, what factors impede this and whether stair lifts will be subsidised for wheelchair-bound residents.
Desmond Lee reported that over 5,000 blocks have benefited from the programme, with 99% having direct lift access, but nine blocks still lack it due to technical constraints, leaving residents to climb one flight of stairs.
He noted that while HDB has piloted innovative lift solutions, some blocks remain unfeasible due to high cost or technical limits, and stair lifts are not suitable for large-scale adoption because they obstruct fire escape routes and pose safety risks.
HDB will continue exploring new technologies for lift access, and residents with medical or mobility needs can apply for the Lift Access Housing Grant of up to $30,000 to buy a flat with direct lift access.

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9 Jan 2024

Plans to Prepare Low-income Tenants of HDB's Public Rental Scheme for Eventual Home Ownership

The Ministry offers housing grants of up to $40,000 for singles purchasing BTO flats and up to $95,000 for resale flats, with HDB’s Home Ownership Support Team providing personalised guidance for purchasing a flat.
Tenants in the Joint Singles Scheme Operator-Run pilot receive regular check-ins and support from appointed social service agencies to address financial or employment issues and promote stability and self-reliance.
The pilot scheme aims to help low-income tenants, including those earning less than $1,500, achieve eventual home ownership by integrating national and local support services.

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9 Jan 2024

Effectiveness of Joint Singles Scheme Operator-Run Pilot in Mitigating Conflicts among Co-tenants in HDB's Public Rental Scheme

The Joint Singles Scheme Operator-Run pilot, launched in December 2021, appoints social service agencies to manage flat-sharing and mediate conflicts for low-income singles, with an expansion in September 2023 to accommodate 1,000 tenants and 590 assisted so far.
The pilot has been assessed as generally effective in mitigating co-tenant conflicts, with almost all reported disputes resolved through early mediation and arrangements like changing flat-sharing setups, unlike the traditional Joint Singles Scheme where tenants struggle to resolve issues independently.
Key performance indicators for the expanded pilot over the next two years will focus on take-up rates, resolution rates for co-tenant conflicts, and tenant and operator feedback, while HDB collaborates with other ministries and partners to assist homeless individuals in securing stable housing.

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9 Jan 2024

Assessment of Maintenance Fee Proposed by Condominium Developer

Melvin Yong questioned the criteria the BCA uses to approve proposed maintenance fees, whether advertised fees require BCA approval, and what safeguards exist if eventual fees are much higher than marketed.
Desmond Lee explained that maintenance costs vary by development, developers set fees based on projected costs, and the Commissioner of Buildings (under BCA) approves them before collection, verifying they are reasonable and backed by vendor quotes.
He noted that after the first AGM, the management corporation takes over, allowing unit owners to collectively decide on services and fee adjustments, providing a safeguard against significant increases.

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9 Jan 2024

Income Criterion to be Satisfied at Point of Application for HDB Flat under Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme

Murali Pillai asked whether the PPHS income criterion should be assessed at the point of PPHS flat application rather than at sales application for a new flat.
The Minister explained that the $7,000 income ceiling ensures PPHS flats go to families with lower ability to rent on the open market while waiting for new flats.
Eligibility is currently assessed at the sales application for a new flat to prevent higher-income households from being disqualified if their income rises later.
Applicants whose incomes fall to $7,000 or below after sales application may seek a case-by-case review from HDB.
The current approach balances the need to target assistance with flexibility for households experiencing income changes.

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9 Jan 2024

Time between HDB Flat Key Collection Appointment Notification and Appointment Date

Over the past five years, HDB has on average scheduled key collection appointments about 10 days after notifying flat buyers, with buyers required to collect keys within one month of notification.
Around 80% of flat buyers collected their keys within the one-month period, while 12% (about 9,700 buyers) collected later and faced late completion interest, though HDB may grant deferrals and waive interest for those with genuine difficulties.
About 2% of flat buyers (1,700) had their applications cancelled after being unable to collect keys even with multiple deferments, and HDB may waive forfeiture fees and assist with alternative housing in such cases.

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9 Jan 2024

Lifts in HDB Flats Fitted with Lift Monitoring Devices that Rely on 3G Modems

About 85% of HDB lifts (roughly 23,000) are currently fitted with lift monitoring devices (LMDs) using 3G modems, while lifts completed since October 2022 have 4G-capable LMDs.
The LMD Enhancement Programme will replace all 3G LMDs with 4G versions by end-2025, with continued support for 3G devices until replacement, and IMDA requires network operators to ensure migration before 3G retirement.
The Ministry of National Development and HDB are coordinating with other ministries, regulators, and mobile operators to manage the transition, engaging town councils on scheduling, while private building owners must work with vendors to upgrade their systems.

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9 Jan 2024

Impact of Subsidy Recovery Regime on Prices of non‐PLH Flats in Same Area and Prospect of Subsidy Priced into Selling Price of Resale PLH Flats

Minister Desmond Lee explained that the Prime Location Public Housing (PLH) model uses additional subsidies and a subsidy recovery rate (8% for December 2023 BTO) to keep flats affordable, with resale proceeds partially returned to HDB to maintain parity with other buyers.
The impact on non-PLH flat prices near PLH developments depends on market factors like supply, demand, and buyer preferences, with the broader resale market expected to remain stable due to diverse housing options and continued new flat supply.
Resale PLH flat prices are moderated by tighter ownership conditions, such as a 10-year minimum occupation period and eligibility rules for buyers, which may deter sellers from pricing the subsidy recovery into their asking prices.
HDB will monitor the housing market and review policies as needed to ensure affordability and inclusivity in prime location public housing.

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9 Jan 2024

Cap on Number of Occupants in HDB Rental Flats

Pritam Singh inquired if HDB will impose a long-term cap on the number of occupants in rental flats.
The government does not restrict family members living together in rental or owned flats due to varying household sizes, but imposes an occupancy cap for unrelated renters to reduce neighborhood disamenities.
Large families with multiple family nuclei can apply to rent more than one flat, and the ComLink Rental Scheme provides case-by-case 3-room flats for large families with children.

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9 Jan 2024

Strengthening Enforcement against Illegal Subletting of HDB Flats and Private Residential Properties

In the last five years, HDB took action against 571 cases of unauthorised renting out of HDB flats or bedrooms, while private residential property owners do not require approval to rent out their properties.
HDB enforces rules through inspections, public feedback investigations, a dedicated hotline, and publicising penalties to deter illegal subletting.
Consequences for illegal HDB subletting include written warnings, fines up to $50,000, or compulsory acquisition of the flat, depending on severity.

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9 Jan 2024

Reasons for Change of Main Contractor in HDB Projects Midway through Construction

From 2010 to 2023, 19 out of 383 BTO projects required a change of main contractor due to unsatisfactory progress, often linked to financial difficulties.
HDB ensures quality is maintained by selecting replacement contractors with strong track records, coordinating with existing subcontractors, and conducting stringent checks before handing over keys.
Contractors are chosen through a rigorous process using the Price Quality Method, assessing financial health, performance, and safety, while also monitoring ongoing performance to prevent resource overstretch.

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9 Jan 2024

Social Cohesion through Common Spaces in Residential Estates

Syed Harun Alhabsyi argued that common spaces in residential estates are vital for social cohesion, as they allow genuine, spontaneous interactions across social divides, and suggested that closing such spaces misses opportunities for community compromise and win-win solutions through better urban design and policy.
He highlighted that social cohesion is strengthened when residents navigate differences in shared areas, and urged Parliament to consciously co-create and maintain these spaces to foster understanding and resilience.
Minister Faishal Ibrahim agreed on the importance of social cohesion, noting that HDB and other agencies deliberately design and programme common spaces to encourage community interaction, such as through Community Living Rooms, parks, and events.
The government balances open access with management of conflicts, using town councils to oversee usage and address disamenities, while engaging residents in co-creating solutions through upgrading programmes and initiatives like the Lively Places Programme.
Both speakers emphasized that social cohesion is an ongoing process requiring collective responsibility, with common spaces serving as key arenas for building mutual respect and inclusivity in Singapore’s diverse society.

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9 Jan 2024

Rationale for and Impact of Increased Rental Occupancy Cap for HDB Units

The government is temporarily raising the rental occupancy cap for larger HDB flats from six to eight unrelated persons from January 2024 to address tight rental demand and moderate rents, citing supply constraints from the pandemic and strong demand from both Singaporeans and non-residents.
To manage concerns about neighbour disputes and disamenities, HDB and URA will enforce existing rules—including non-citizen quotas, pre-rental approval, and regular inspections—with firm actions like warnings, fines, or rental revocation for breaches, while noting that current rental-related nuisance complaints are a small fraction of total neighbour disputes.
Ministers emphasized that the measure is temporary for three years, with monitoring of rental demand, resident feedback, and infrastructure impact; they also highlighted ongoing mediation support and that only a small percentage of HDB flats are rented out or currently at the occupancy cap, limiting widespread disruption.

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22 Nov 2023

Projected Number of HDB Rental Flat Blocks and Units to be Cleared Over Next Five Years

Mr. Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked for the projected number of HDB rental flat blocks and units to be cleared over the next five years.
Minister Desmond Lee stated that eight public rental blocks are planned to be cleared progressively as part of estate renewal and to refresh rental housing stock.
The government will provide relocation support for tenants, assisting them to move to newer rental flats or buy new flats if possible, and is building new rental flats as part of redevelopment plans.

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22 Nov 2023

Centralised Cooling System Opt-out Waiver for HDB Home Owners

Member Zhulkarnain asked whether HDB home owners cancelling centralised cooling system installation can get a full fee waiver, if HDB plans to roll out the system in future BTO projects, and whether HDB has tested the system in commercial buildings.
Minister Lee explained that the Tengah CCS pilot offers a 30-day cooling-off period, with fees applied after that, but SP Group has reduced charges by 50% for those terminating and offers instalment plans for financial difficulties.
The Minister noted that while chilled water systems are used commercially, the Tengah CCS is the first such deployment in public housing, and HDB has not installed CCS in any commercial buildings it manages.
HDB will monitor performance and feedback before deciding on wider implementation, and the pilot currently allows opt-out with reduced fees but not a full waiver.

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22 Nov 2023

Increasing Amenities and Connectivity in Lentor Area

Yip Hon Weng asked whether there are plans to increase amenities like hawker centres and car parks and improve traffic connectivity in the Lentor area, given upcoming housing developments.
Desmond Lee responded that the Urban Redevelopment Authority collaborates with agencies and developers to ensure sufficient infrastructure and amenities, including retail, F&B, and a neighbourhood park in the Lentor Hills Estate.
He noted that the area is already well-served by hawker centres, eateries, and the Lentor MRT Station, with road capacity ensured through completed traffic studies and improvements.
Agencies will continue engaging local stakeholders to address feedback and meet residents' needs.

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22 Nov 2023

Update on Status of Bukit Batok Hawker Centre

Murali Pillai requested an update on the expected start and completion dates for the Bukit Batok Hawker Centre, which was announced in 2019 as part of a project co-located with assisted living flats.
Grace Fu Hai Yien stated that the hawker centre is under construction and its completion will align with the overall HDB development, scheduled for 2024.
The National Environment Agency is coordinating with HDB on the timeline and will share confirmed dates once plans are finalized.

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22 Nov 2023

Lessons from Feedback on Centralised Cooling System by Tengah Town Home Owners

Minister Desmond Lee explained that the centralised cooling system (CCS) in Tengah Town, a pilot developed with SP Group, provides an energy-efficient alternative to conventional air-conditioning, with HDB delivering the necessary infrastructure and SP Group managing installation, resident communications, and contracts.
The Ministry acknowledged feedback from residents about water seepage and insufficient cooling, attributing these issues to compressed timelines from COVID-19 delays that limited pre-handover testing, and noted that most defects have been resolved, with SP Group offering quality checks and waiving usage charges for the year.
HDB and the Ministry emphasise the importance of learning from such pilots, engaging stakeholders closely, and providing options like air-con ledges, while monitoring CCS performance and ground feedback before deciding on wider-scale implementation in new HDB flats.

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22 Nov 2023

Further Assistance for Potential Buyers of HDB Resale Flats Unable to Afford HDB 2-room Resale Flats

Mr Gan Thiam Poh asked for more help for buyers who can only get low HDB loans and still cannot afford 2-room resale flats.
Mr Gan also asked if the Ministry has reviewed the impact on buyers whose incomes are not keeping up with rising HDB resale prices.
Minister Desmond Lee said HDB offers loans, grants up to $190,000 for first-timers, and other support, with most buyers able to service mortgages with little cash outlay.
He added that low-income and vulnerable groups can seek rental or interim housing, and the Government regularly reviews policies to keep public housing affordable and will adjust as needed.

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