Housing & estates — Topics

18 Sep 2023

Age of Buyers of Million-dollar HDB Resale Flats in Past Eight Years

The debate focused on the age of buyers and the percentage of Permanent Residents among those who purchased million-dollar HDB resale flats from July 2015 to June 2023.
Less than 1% of HDB resale transactions during this period were sold for $1 million or more, indicating such purchases are rare.
The median age of buyers of these million-dollar flats was 40 years old.
Approximately 94% of the buyers were Singapore Citizens, while about 6% were Singapore Permanent Residents.
The data shows that the vast majority of such high-value transactions involved Singaporeans rather than Permanent Residents.

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18 Sep 2023

Nationalities of Foreigners Who Purchased Non-landed Residential Properties in Past Eight Years

Gan Thiam Poh inquired about the nationalities of foreigners who purchased non-landed residential properties in Singapore over the past eight years.
Desmond Lee clarified that foreigners are prohibited from buying HDB flats but can purchase non-landed private residential properties.
The top nationalities of foreign buyers from 2015 to the first half of 2023 were American, Chinese, Indian, Indonesian, and Malaysian.
The exchange highlighted the regulatory framework and specific nationalities dominating foreign property acquisitions in Singapore.
The debate focused on providing transparency regarding foreign ownership patterns in the private residential property market.

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18 Sep 2023

Number of Singles Aged 50 and Above Living in HDB's 2-Room Flexi Flats

Gan Thiam Poh asked the Minister for National Development about the number of single residents aged 50 and above living in HDB's 2-room flexi flats.
As of end-July 2023, 8,597 singles aged 50 to 60 live in these flats, while 15,243 singles aged 61 and above reside in them.

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18 Sep 2023

Assessment of Pneumatic Waste Conveyance System Implemented in Bidadari Estate

Mr Sitoh Yih Pin queried HDB's assessment of the pneumatic waste conveyance system in Bidadari, plans to address waste choking and odours from bin centres, and whether HDB would act against vendors to seek reimbursement for Town Council costs.
Desmond Lee stated that the system has made waste collection cleaner and more efficient, but blockages and odours occurred in 2020-2021 due to improper disposal of renovation waste, which was cleared manually.
HDB and Jalan Besar Town Council are educating residents on proper use, washing the bin centre regularly, and the vendor has increased filter replacement frequency, leading to improved conditions.
Town Councils, not HDB, manage and maintain the PWCS under vendor agreements and should seek reimbursement directly from their appointed vendor for any extraordinary costs.

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18 Sep 2023

Reports of HDB-approved Renovation Contractors Breaching Approval Conditions on Work Duration

From 2021 to 2023, HDB received a declining number of reports (7,888, 5,166, and 2,437 respectively) about renovation works being conducted outside approved hours, though some cases involved DIY or non-regulated works.
Less than 10% of households applying for renovation permits per year from 2021 to mid-2023 required extensions, and HDB does not track such extensions, as contractors are responsible for communicating work duration estimates to homeowners.
HDB penalizes contractors for breaches with fines of $500–$5,000 and demerit points (6–12 per infringement), and may suspend or debar them if they accumulate 24 demerit points within 24 months; however, no contractor has reached this threshold so far.

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18 Sep 2023

Proposal for HDB Flats at Kampong Arang and Jalan Batu to be Considered for Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme

Lim Biow Chuan asked if HDB flats at Kampong Arang and Jalan Batu could be considered for the Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme (SERS) due to their age and rising maintenance costs.
Desmond Lee explained that SERS is a selective program for older estates with high development value, with criteria detailed in a May 2022 reply.
He noted the flats were upgraded under the Main Upgrading Programme in 2002 and that other renewal programs like ROH, NRP, and HIP, including HIP II for flats aged 60–70, ensure estates remain vibrant.

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18 Sep 2023

Applications Received under HDB's Enhancement for Active Seniors (Direct Application) Scheme

From 2020 to 2022, HDB received 9,400, 8,800 and 10,300 applications respectively under the EASE (Direct Application) scheme.
HDB does not track the number of applications from households with persons with disabilities who do not meet the age requirement and assesses such cases on a case-by-case basis.
The average waiting time for application approval is within seven working days if all required documents are submitted, though no specific data is available for age-ineligible applicants.
The Minister noted that a dedicated EASE scheme to prioritise applications from persons with disabilities who do not meet the age requirement was not specifically addressed.

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18 Sep 2023

Adjusting HDB Flat Balloting System to Accord Weightage to Unsuccessful Attempts in Sale of Balance Flat Exercises

The government has prioritized first-timer families in flat allocation, offering them more ballot chances and setting aside a high percentage of flats for them.
From the next BTO launch, new categories will give three ballot chances to first-timer parents and married couples under 40, along with priority under the Family and Parenthood Priority Scheme.
Additional ballot chances are already provided to first-timer families with two or more unsuccessful BTO applications in non-mature estates, and the system is continually reviewed to support those with greater housing needs.

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18 Sep 2023

Selection Criteria for Main Contractors of HDB BTO Projects

Contractors must be registered with the Building and Construction Authority, meet financial and credit rating requirements, have prior high-rise experience, and are allocated tenders based on performance scores, with restrictions for poor performers and suspension for repeated issues.
HDB uses a Price Quality Method to evaluate bids based on price and quality, considering contractor performance, safety, financial health, and assessments, and implements a quality management system including approved material sourcing, in-process checks, and inspections.
HDB monitors construction progress closely, works with contractors and consultants to meet critical milestones, and if a contractor is terminated mid-project, facilitates a smooth transition by connecting the replacement contractor with existing sub-contractors and ensuring timely delivery.

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18 Sep 2023

Assistance to Singaporeans Buying and Selling HDB Flats in Preferred Language of Communication and To Ensure They Do Not Need to Raise More Money for Purchase of Flat before CPF Reimbursement

HDB frontline staff can assist Singaporeans in their preferred language, including Mandarin, Malay, or Tamil, for flat transactions.
For sellers buying another flat, HDB provides financial measures like the Enhanced Contra Facility for resale flats or the Contra Payment Facility for new flats to ease cash flow without waiting for CPF refunds.
Temporary loans are available for flat buyers not using a housing loan, such as seniors or those paying fully, with repayment from sale proceeds upon completion.
Flat buyers can approach HDB for more details on these assistance options.

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18 Sep 2023

Support for Foreign Healthcare Workers Facing Difficulties in Finding Affordable Housing in Current High-rent Market

Dr Lim Wee Kiak inquired whether the Ministry of Health offers assistance to foreign healthcare workers struggling with high rental costs and if long-term housing could be included to attract them.
The Ministry of Health and public healthcare clusters provide housing allowances and are establishing hostel-like accommodation to support new foreign healthcare workers.
The Ministry will continue monitoring needs, including the potential for long-term accommodation, while private employers also offer similar support.

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18 Sep 2023

Cases of More than One Household in Same HDB Rental Flat

Leong Mun Wai asked the Minister for National Development whether there are cases where more than one household is housed in the same HDB rental flat and, if so, why.
Desmond Lee stated that such cases represent only 0.1% of occupied public rental flats, occurring for reasons like mutual care arrangements or recent household additions.
He noted that households with two family nuclei can apply for two rental flats in the same block, subject to vacancies and eligibility conditions.

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18 Sep 2023

Subsidies for Addition and Alteration Works for HDB Flats with Multi-step Entrances

Pritam Singh asked whether subsidies for Addition and Alteration works would be extended to households with multi-step entrances after applying for EASE ramps or access solutions, and how many such HDB flats currently require these works.
Desmond Lee explained that EASE offers heavily subsidised accessibility solutions like portable ramps and wheelchair lifters, but minor Addition and Alteration works to install these are not subsidised and are akin to owner-funded renovations.
For flats needing such works, typically ground-floor units with more than three steps, HDB may refer owners to Social Service Organisations for financial assistance if they cannot afford the costs.
The need for minor works depends on site conditions and can only be determined after an HDB site assessment at the flat.
HDB will continue exploring solutions to improve flat accessibility.

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18 Sep 2023

Guidelines for Keeping Pets at Home to Ensure Harmonious Living among Neighbours

Gan Thiam Poh asked whether the Ministry for National Development will review guidelines for keeping pets at home to ensure harmonious living among neighbours.
Desmond Lee stated that NParks and HDB have guidelines for pet welfare and minimising neighbour inconvenience, including a Code of Animal Welfare and a list of approved dog breeds for HDB flats.
NParks collaborates with animal welfare groups to promote responsible pet ownership through community events and webinars, and advises mediation for pet-related neighbour disputes.
NParks and HDB will regularly review pet ownership policies to balance community needs, calling for mutual respect and responsible pet ownership.

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18 Sep 2023

Responsiveness of Emergency Monitoring and Response Service at HDB's 2-room Flexi Flats for Seniors

Murali Pillai inquired about regular audits, reliability measures, and potential upgrades to the emergency monitoring and response service at HDB’s 2‑room flexi flats for seniors.
Ong Ye Kung acknowledged a reported incident where an elderly resident’s alarm received a delayed response and confirmed a review of the response mechanism.
He highlighted that improving service reliability requires coordination among multiple agencies and responders, including HDB, Town Councils, and emergency services.

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18 Sep 2023

Moderating or Reversing Escalating Home Rental Prices

Henry Kwek asked the Ministry for National Development about the outlook for home rental prices and what more can be done to moderate or reverse escalating costs.
Desmond Lee reported that rental growth has moderated in recent quarters, with private and public housing rents increasing at slower rates.
The Ministry expects rental pressures to ease further due to a significant number of residential units being completed from 2023 to 2025, which will increase rental supply and reduce demand.
HDB offers schemes like the Public Rental Scheme and Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme to support Singaporeans who need to rent.
The Ministry is monitoring the rental situation and will adjust policies as necessary to help tenants manage their cost of living.

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18 Sep 2023

HDB Estates where Resale Flat Prices Exceed $1 Million

As of July 2023, 21 HDB towns and estates, including areas like Ang Mo Kio, Bedok, and Queenstown, have recorded resale flat prices exceeding $1 million, with such transactions representing about 1% of total resale activity in 2021 and 2022.
These high-priced flats are typically located in very favorable areas or have larger floor spaces, indicating that location and size are key factors driving their value.
Between 2021 and the first half of 2023, HDB launched 13 Prime Location Public Housing (PLH) projects in Bukit Merah, Central Area, Kallang Whampoa, and Queenstown, and 36 non-PLH projects across several of the affected towns.
Since 2021, HDB has rolled out about 50,000 flats and aims to reach 100,000 by 2025, with new housing supply distributed across various locations to meet demand.
The government continues to monitor the resale market closely, emphasizing that million-dollar HDB flats remain a small minority despite their visibility in certain prime estates.

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18 Sep 2023

Extension of HDB Public Rental Scheme to Families with Large Numbers of Children and Do Not have Realistic Prospect of Purchasing Own Homes

There are about 200 households currently in 3-room rental flats under the Public Rental Scheme, and HDB works with social service agencies to provide 3-room flats to large families with children on a case-by-case basis when they lack family support and housing options.
The government’s approach pairs rental housing with holistic social support, including guidance from Family Service Centres and the ComLink programme, to help families address challenges and build financial stability.
The long-term goal is to uplift rental households so they can eventually purchase their own flat, with substantial grants and one-to-one assistance provided when families are ready for home ownership.

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18 Sep 2023

Social and Fiscal Impact from Introduction of Plus and Prime HDB Flats

The new HDB framework introduces Standard, Plus, and Prime flats based on location to improve affordability, social mix, and fairness, with Plus and Prime flats receiving additional subsidies but facing tighter restrictions like income ceilings on resale and a 10-year Minimum Occupation Period.
The government anticipates a higher fiscal impact from the additional subsidies for Prime and Plus flats, though the exact cost depends on market conditions and demand, while committed to maintaining support for home ownership through grants and priority schemes for first-timer families.
Measures include increasing the supply of 2-room Flexi flats for singles and the elderly, with plans to launch up to 14,000 such flats from 2024 to 2026, and maintaining priority for first-timer families in BTO allocations to ensure fair access across different groups.

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18 Sep 2023

First Complaint by Non-Constituency Member of Parliament Mr Leong Mun Wai

The Speaker ruled that Mr Murali Pillai’s statement about Mr Leong Mun Wai advocating rent control did not impute improper motives and thus did not breach Standing Order 50(6).
The Speaker emphasized that differing interpretations of “rent control” are normal in parliamentary debate and both members had opportunities to clarify their positions in Hansard.
Mr Leong requested clarification on whether the Speaker agreed he never mentioned “rent control,” but the Speaker refused to reopen the debate and reaffirmed the decision was final.

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