Housing & estates — Topics

3 Aug 2023

Maximum Number of Concurrent Users HDB Flat Portal Can Accommodate

Leong Mun Wai asked about the HDB Flat Portal's maximum concurrent user capacity, whether it was exceeded during BTO launches, and plans for IT infrastructure upgrades.
Desmond Lee stated that the portal's capacity meets requirements, with a virtual waiting room implemented to manage surges, and no BTO launches in the past year exceeded the limit despite higher demand.
He mentioned that technical issues in the May 2023 launch were resolved, and HDB is encouraging users to avoid peak periods and will continue improving IT infrastructure.

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3 Aug 2023

HDB Flat Eligibility Letter Applications Received and Average Waiting Time for Approval

Leong Mun Wai asked for weekly HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) letter application numbers since 9 May 2023 compared to the previous HDB Loan Eligibility (HLE) scheme, average approval waiting times for HFE versus HLE, and how any differences affect the resale market.
Desmond Lee explained that HFE provides a one-stop assessment for flat eligibility, CPF grants, and HDB loans, while HLE only covered loan eligibility, making direct comparisons between the two schemes not meaningful.
He noted that some applicants have faced longer HFE processing times due to system glitches, but most resale flat buyers with pre-9 May 2023 Intent To Buy and HLE letters can proceed without needing an HFE letter.
HDB is working to resolve the HFE processing delays, and buyers requiring urgent HFE letters may seek assistance directly from HDB.
The response did not provide specific weekly application numbers or average waiting times, citing the fundamental differences between HFE and HLE as the reason for not offering a direct comparison.

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3 Aug 2023

Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents and Foreigners Renting Bedrooms and Entire HDB Flats from Open Market

Hazel Poa asked for the number of Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents, and foreigners renting entire HDB flats or bedrooms from the open market each year since 2010.
As of June 2023, 11,900 Singapore Citizens (5%), 34,900 Permanent Residents (15%), and 185,000 Non-Residents (80%) rented entire HDB flats, while 7,200 Singapore Citizens (3%), 28,100 Permanent Residents (13%), and 186,000 Non-Residents (84%) rented bedrooms.
Since 2010, the proportion of tenants renting HDB flats has been stable: 5-9% for Citizens, 13-24% for PRs, and 67-82% for Non-Residents.
For bedrooms, the proportion of tenants has also been stable: 3-8% for Citizens, 11-21% for PRs, and 70-85% for Non-Residents.

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3 Aug 2023

Valuation Principles Used for State-managed Properties and Sale of Land for Public Housing

The Ministry applies fair market value as the core valuation principle for properties managed and rented out by the Singapore Land Authority (SLA), with market rates assessed by professional valuers using comparable rental transactions.
For land sales, including to HDB for public housing, fair market value is determined independently by the Chief Valuer based on open market resales and site-specific factors, while BTO flat prices are set separately to ensure affordability below market value.
These valuation principles ensure the government transacts at fair market value regardless of the asset’s use, but BTO pricing is decoupled from land valuation to prioritize housing affordability.

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3 Aug 2023

Cost of Restoration and Additional Works Done on Black and White Bungalows since 2018

The Minister confirmed that SLA rents out residential heritage bungalows at or above the guide rent, meaning there have been cases rented exactly at the guide rent.
SLA does not specifically track the number of cases where over $500,000 was spent on essential repairs or restoration for these bungalows since 2018.
The Minister stated that SLA’s practice is to assess each case on its merits regarding site clearance requests, considering factors like public health, safety, and SLA’s interests as the landlord.
The Minister referenced prior parliamentary statements from July 2023 for detailed information on SLA’s management of state properties and rentals.

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3 Aug 2023

Proactive Checks of HDB Flats at Henderson Crescent for Repair and Maintenance of Common Issues

Joan Pereira asked if HDB can proactively check Henderson Crescent flats for repairs like spalling concrete and corroded pipes outside the Home Improvement Programme cycle.
Desmond Lee explained that flat owners are responsible for their own maintenance, but HDB's Home Improvement Programme addresses common issues for flats around 30 years old.
He noted that HDB provides a Home Care Guide with maintenance tips and offers a Goodwill Repair Assistance scheme to co-pay repair costs for Singapore Citizen households.

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3 Aug 2023

Households Receiving Lower GST Voucher Payouts Due to Revision in Annual Valuation of Property

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim questioned how many households saw their GST voucher payouts reduced from $500–$700 to $250–$350 due to the Annual Valuation revision and whether this undermines the voucher’s purpose.
Lawrence Wong explained that the 2022 Annual Value of residential properties determined this year’s GST voucher payouts, with all HDB flats having an AV below $13,000, qualifying them for the higher tier.
The Ministry is reviewing the AV thresholds for social support schemes to ensure needy Singaporeans receive appropriate support and will provide updates once ready.
The exchange highlights concerns that valuation changes may unintentionally reduce support for lower-income households.
The government acknowledges the need to adjust criteria to maintain the effectiveness of the GST voucher scheme.

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3 Aug 2023

Relaxation of Income Criteria for HDB Rental Flats

Mr Ang Wei Neng questioned whether HDB would relax income criteria for rental flats, citing higher Comcare benchmarks, and sought data on rejections and flats rented despite exceeding income limits.
Minister Desmond Lee clarified that the Public Rental Scheme has no income ceiling and uses a holistic, needs-based approach, approving applications even for households above $1,500 monthly income.
HDB recently removed income references from its website to reduce psychological barriers and does not track rejections solely based on income thresholds.
As of June 2023, about 9,000 rental flats were occupied by households with incomes above $1,500, reflecting the scheme’s flexibility.
The debate underscores the government’s focus on assessing overall housing need rather than applying rigid income criteria for public rental.

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3 Aug 2023

Use of Fire Extinguishers at Lift Lobbies of HDB Blocks and Steps to Improve Community Fire Safety and Response

Ms Hany Soh asked about the usage of trial fire extinguishers in HDB lift lobbies since September 2022 and steps to improve community fire safety, but Minister Shanmugam clarified the trial only begins later this year and will roll out over five years.
The trial aims to install fire extinguishers in lift lobbies of every two HDB blocks and train over 80,000 residents in their use as part of SCDF’s ongoing fire safety efforts.
SCDF promotes fire safety through public education programs like the Community Emergency Preparedness Programme and Community Resilience Days, encouraging home extinguisher installation and awareness of common-area hose reels.
Residents can access fire safety tips and emergency information via the SCDF website or the Civil Defence Emergency Handbook, with SCDF committing to continued community engagement to enhance fire response.

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2 Aug 2023

Price and Lease Length of Dormitory Bed Rental Contracts and Measures to Mitigate against Excessive Rental Increases

The average monthly rental rate for a dormitory bed in the first quarter of 2023 was $420, up from $280 in the first quarter of 2019, with strong demand and higher costs being key drivers.
Dormitory bed rental contracts are typically signed for one or two years, and the government has added nearly 17,000 beds since December 2022 through measures like relaxing criteria for Factory Converted Dormitories and converting quarantine facilities.
The government is urging employers to adopt productivity measures and secure housing for workers before they enter Singapore to mitigate excessive rental increases.

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2 Aug 2023

Concessions for HDB Flat Owners with EV Cars to Park at Closest HDB Car Park with EV Charging Stations

Miss Rachel Ong asked whether HDB will provide concessions for flat owners with EVs to park at the closest HDB car park with charging stations at season parking rates.
The LTA and HDB are deploying EV charging points in nearly 2,000 HDB car parks by 2025.
HDB allows residents to transfer their season parking to another car park with EV chargers at the same rate to support EV charging needs.

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2 Aug 2023

Termination of Main Contractor for HDB's Punggol Point Cove BTO Project

HDB terminated CKR Contract Services for Punggol Point Cove due to unsatisfactory progress and failure to meet milestones, despite HDB’s support efforts such as facilitating round-the-clock works and advance payments.
The termination aims to safeguard flat buyers’ interests, with HDB striving to give at least six months’ notice for any completion date changes and actively seeking a new contractor to finish the project by Q4 2024 to Q1 2025.
CKR remains the contractor for other HDB projects like Eunos Court and Toh Guan Grove, with HDB closely monitoring progress to ensure timely completion.

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2 Aug 2023

Assistance to Residents Ineligible for HDB Public Rental Scheme or Unable to Afford Market Public Rentals

Mr Gan Thiam Poh asked the Minister for National Development whether the policy could be reviewed to extend assistance to residents ineligible for HDB public rental flats or unable to afford market rentals.
Desmond Lee stated that HDB takes a holistic, needs-based approach, considering factors like household income, family support, and ability to afford other housing options.
He emphasized that those without family support and unable to afford alternatives, including market rentals, are assisted with public rental flats.
The Public Rental Scheme is regularly reviewed to ensure it remains a social safety net for citizen households with no other housing options.
The government's response highlights a targeted approach to assist only the most vulnerable households while maintaining the scheme's integrity.

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2 Aug 2023

Residents Affected by Delays in HDB's BTO Projects Caused by COVID-19 Pandemic and Interim Housing Options Offered

About 22,000 households are still affected by ongoing delays in 28% of BTO projects, with key collection expected by early 2025.
Eligible flat buyers needing temporary housing can apply for the Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme or, for low-income households without alternatives, Interim Rental Housing on a case-by-case basis.
HDB provides automatic maximum monetary reimbursement under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act for delays beyond the Delivery Possession Dates, without requiring claims or proof.
HDB is working with contractors to minimize further delays while ensuring safety and quality, and balancing rental scheme allocations to prioritize the most needy households.
The majority of delayed projects (72%) have been completed, with 49,000 out of 71,000 affected households already invited to collect keys.

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2 Aug 2023

Justification for Distinction between Ethnic Integration Policy and Non-citizen Criteria for Open Market Rentals of HDB Flats

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim questioned the justification for distinguishing between the Ethnic Integration Policy and non-citizen criteria for open market rentals, arguing both alter estate characteristics regardless of tenancy duration, and asked if EIP could apply to long-term rentals.
Desmond Lee explained that EIP applies to HDB flat sales and purchases to maintain ethnic balance, while open market rentals are exempt as they are temporary and do not affect long-term ethnic proportions.
He noted the Non-Citizen Quota caps rentals to non-citizens to preserve the Singaporean character of HDB heartlands and prevent foreign enclaves, irrespective of race.
The Ministry stated both policies work together to reflect Singapore's ethnic diversity and will be reviewed to meet evolving societal needs.

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6 Jul 2023

Dealing with Feedback on Second-hand Smoke at Residential Dwellings

Louis Ng asked how the Ministry follows up on feedback about second-hand smoke at homes beyond noting no repeat complaints.
Advisory letters are sent to neighbors by NEA, HDB, Health Promotion Board, or Town Councils to encourage considerate behavior.
If issues persist, agencies engage residents directly and mediation or tribunal options are available for resolution.
Most feedback cases do not recur after advisories are issued.

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6 Jul 2023

Management of Vacancy and Arrears Incurred for HDB Rental Flats

HDB sends SMS and letter reminders in the first two months after rent is in arrears and encourages tenants to seek help if needed.
From the third month, HDB officers contact tenants through phone calls and house visits to understand their circumstances.
The time to re-tenant a vacated flat starts from two months but varies based on renovation needs, location demand, and whether it is reserved for tenants affected by redevelopment.

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6 Jul 2023

HDB Flats with Annual Value of $13,000 or More

Gerald Giam asked the Minister for Finance for the number of HDB flats with an Annual Value (AV) of $13,000 or more, how many have zero per capita household income, and the figures for 2022 before AVs increased in 2023.
The Senior Minister of State for Finance replied that in 2022 all HDB flats had AVs below $13,000, but due to rising market rents, about 430,000 flats (40%) now have AVs of $13,000 or more.
An estimated 36,000 resident households with zero monthly income from work live in HDB flats with AVs of $13,000 or more.
The Ministry of Finance is using 2022 AVs for social support scheme eligibility and is reviewing AV thresholds to ensure needy Singaporeans receive appropriate support, with an update to come when ready.

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5 Jul 2023

Median and Average CPF Account Balances and Principal Amount Withdrawn for Residential Properties by Age Decile

Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked the Minister for Manpower about the current median and average CPF Ordinary Account, Special Account, and MediSave Account balances, and the total principal amount withdrawn for residential properties broken down by age deciles.
The Minister responded with data as of December 2022, showing the median and average CPF balances and the median and average amounts withdrawn for housing by age bands.
The Minister noted that comparisons between CPF balances and housing withdrawals for members aged 55 and above are not meaningful due to their eligibility for cash withdrawals from age 55.

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5 Jul 2023

Update on HDB's Collaboration with Evonik Industries on High-performance Insulation Material for Roof Panels

Member Leon Perera asked for an update on HDB’s collaboration with Evonik Industries on high-performance insulation for roof panels and the results or policy directions from the study.
Minister Desmond Lee explained that HDB and Evonik signed a 2019 MOU to explore climate change mitigation and sustainable concrete manufacturing, with Evonik’s “Calostat” insulation panel being tested to reduce heat gain in HDB flats.
The research is still in early phases, and HDB will share more details when available.

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