Housing & estates — Topics

20 Mar 2023

Consultations with BTO Flat Buyers on Creative Design of New Flats

Miss Cheng Li Hui asked whether HDB will consult BTO flat purchasers during construction to balance design preferences and creativity.
Desmond Lee explained that HDB collaborates with architects and reviews designs against regulations and guidelines, with precinct designs committed before launch and details available in brochures.
He cited the example of Tampines GreenVines, where bright cluster colors were introduced to aid wayfinding but later toned down in response to resident feedback, demonstrating a balance between innovation and public receptivity.
HDB proactively gathers feedback through surveys, post-occupancy studies, and town council dialogues to inform future flat designs and upgrades.
The approach emphasizes using resident and stakeholder input to refine designs over time rather than modifying designs mid-construction.

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20 Mar 2023

Requirement for HDB Coffee Shop Operators to Replace Exiting Halal Food Stalls with Halal-certified Incoming Ones

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked whether HDB coffee shop operators must replace a halal food stall with another halal vendor if the original one stops operating, the timeframe for this, and the rationale if not required.
Desmond Lee stated that HDB operators are required to replace a halal stall with another halal vendor once the original ceases, and must do so within the current tenancy period, with non-renewal as a consequence of failure.
He added that operators facing difficulties can appeal to HDB, which will assess such cases individually.

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20 Mar 2023

Requests for Change of Tenants since Launch of Joint Singles Scheme Operator-run Pilot for HDB’s Rental Flats

Mr Gan Thiam Poh asked the Minister for National Development about the number of requests for tenant changes due to disputes since the Joint Singles Scheme Operator-Run pilot began.
As of end-February 2023, operators received 79 requests for tenant changes from tenants living together in the pilot scheme.
Of these 79 requests, 35 were dropped after operators mediated and resolved disputes between tenants.
The remaining 44 requests were resolved by operators making changes to the flat-sharing arrangements.
The government reported that the mediation and adjustment measures helped most tenants continue living together amicably.

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20 Mar 2023

Data on Placement, Profile of Applicants and Duration of Stay for Applications for Safe, Sound Sleeping Places

Leon Perera sought detailed data on the utilisation, applicant numbers, successful placements, median stay duration, and post-rejection support for Safe, Sound Sleeping Places (S3Ps), as well as applicant profiles and housing transition rates.
Masagos Zulkifli explained that S3Ps are voluntary community shelters and MSF does not track the number of available places, noting that availability has not been a constraint in engaging rough sleepers.
He highlighted that rough sleepers often decline S3P offers initially, requiring long-term persuasion, and MSF collaborates with other agencies to find suitable rehousing options like public rental flats or transitional shelters.

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6 Mar 2023

Relocation of Schools to Suburban Areas and Its Impact on Housing and Rental Prices

Mr Yip Hon Weng asked about the relocation of Anglo-Chinese School (Primary) to Tengah and whether more schools will move to suburban areas and affect housing and rental prices in non-mature estates.
Chan Chun Sing referred to a previous Ministry of Education reply on 28 February 2023 that addressed considerations for school relocations.
The debate focused on the potential impact of school relocations on property markets in newer towns.
No specific plans or impacts were detailed in the provided speeches beyond referencing an earlier response.
The exchange highlighted concerns about education planning and its ripple effects on housing affordability.

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6 Mar 2023

Appeals from Residents Ineligible for Public Rental Housing and Cannot Afford Open Market Rentals

Yip Hon Weng asked for data on housing appeals from residents ineligible for public rental and unable to afford open-market rentals, including outcomes and alternatives, and whether the Progressive Wage Model will affect future appeals.
Desmond Lee stated that HDB uses a holistic, needs-based approach for rental housing, considering multiple factors beyond income, and does not specifically track appeals from those in the described category.
Applicants without family support or other options are assisted with public rental flats, while others may stay with family or friends or receive interim rental flats if waiting for BTO completion.
The Progressive Wage Model is expected to help lower-wage workers afford home ownership through grants and subsidies, and HDB will continue to assess rental applications holistically.

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6 Mar 2023

Adding on HDB's Website that Single Parents Not Eligible for Interim Housing Can Approach HDB for Assistance

Louis Ng asked if the HDB website should explicitly state that single unwed parents ineligible for interim housing under the Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme can seek assistance, and requested data on applications and outcomes since 2021.
The Minister confirmed the HDB website already says single unwed parents can approach HDB for housing assistance, with each case assessed holistically based on individual circumstances.
Since January 2021, eight single unwed parents applied for the scheme, with two receiving interim rental housing, one invited but not selecting a flat, three unsuccessful in balloting, one awaiting results, and one withdrawing.

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3 Mar 2023

Progress Towards Goal of 30 Therapeutic Gardens by 2030 as Part of City in Nature Vision

As of February 2023, 10 therapeutic gardens have been established and the goal of 30 by 2030 remains on track.
Therapeutic horticulture programmes are offered in these gardens and also in facilities like hospitals and senior centres, many in HDB estates.
NParks works with HDB to include therapeutic gardens in new developments and estate renewal projects where feasible.

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3 Mar 2023

Average Rate of Increase in Property Tax for Private Residential Properties and Proposal to Reduce These for Properties Occupied by Elderly Retirees

Members of Parliament raised concerns about the rising property tax for owner-occupied private homes, particularly affecting elderly retirees who may be cash-poor but live in properties with high annual value due to neighborhood rental trends.
The Senior Minister of State for Finance explained that property tax is a wealth tax based on annual value, which is determined by comparable rental transactions, and confirmed a median compound annual growth rate of around 7% from 2020 to 2023.
The government stated it does not plan to reduce property tax rates for elderly retirees but instead supports them through broader assistance schemes like the Assurance Package and healthcare subsidies.
Officials emphasized that the tax system is designed to be fair and progressive, with property considered an asset and part of wealth, and noted that IRAS excludes outlier rentals when computing annual value.
Parliamentarians questioned the definition of wealth for retirees with high-value homes but low income, but the government maintained that assets like property contribute to wealth assessment and alternative support measures are preferred over tax concessions.

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2 Mar 2023

Appeals for Community Development Council Vouchers and Steps to Ensure Veracity

Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim asked about the processing of appeals for CDC vouchers and how to ensure the genuineness of reasons given, especially for leased residential premises.
Mr Edwin Tong explained that every Singaporean household can claim $300 in CDC vouchers in 2023 as part of GST support, and appeals can be made if households are unable to claim due to shared addresses.
Appeals require supporting documents like tenancy agreements, marriage certificates, or HDB key collection letters to prove household status, and are generally approved if the applicant belongs to a different household and has not claimed before.

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2 Mar 2023

Proportion of Resale Flat Buyers Who are Upgraders and Downgraders

Mariam Jaafar asked the Minister for National Development about the proportion of resale HDB flat buyers who are upgraders or downgraders from larger flats.
Desmond Lee responded with data showing that from 2020 to 2022, about 19% of resale flat buyers purchased a larger flat within three years of selling their previous one.
He added that about 15% of resale flat buyers bought a smaller flat within the same three-year period after disposing of their prior flat.
The statistics specifically refer to buyers who moved between flat sizes within a three-year window.
The figures highlight a notable proportion of resale activity involving both upgrading and downgrading movements.

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2 Mar 2023

Lessons from Experiences of Residents Living in Blocks with Rental and Sold Units and Efforts at Integration

Early findings from a study on integrated blocks show that placing rental and sold units on the same floor encourages neighbourly ties, especially when block designs minimise visible differences and shared amenities or community activities treat all residents equally.
The Ministry has launched 20 mixed blocks with both rental and sold units, of which three are completed and 17 are under construction, and future designs will continue to place units on the same floor and reduce external appearance differences.
Existing blocks of exclusively rental flats remain part of housing estates to better facilitate social service delivery to rental households.

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2 Mar 2023

New Admissions to Remand Homes and Places of Detention Living in Public Rental Flats

Louis Ng asked the Ministry for Social and Family Development for the percentage of children newly admitted to remand homes and places of detention who lived in public rental flats over the past five years, and whether the Ministry would collect this data if unavailable.
The Ministry responded that the Singapore Boys' Home and Singapore Girls' Home serve as remand homes and places of detention for children and young persons.
The Ministry provided data that, on average, about 28% of newly admitted children and young persons between 2018 and 2022 lived in public rental flats.
The Ministry did not explicitly state whether it intends to collect such data if it is unavailable, but it provided the requested statistics.

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2 Mar 2023

Committee of Supply – Head T (Ministry of National Development)

First-time parents and married couples will receive enhanced support, including an extra ballot chance and higher priority for BTO flats, while stricter penalties will be imposed for flat non-selection to improve allocation efficiency.
The government will expand the supply of public housing, including more short-waiting-time flats and new Community Care Apartments for seniors, while enhancing grants and schemes for singles and lower-income households.
The built environment sector will undergo transformation through digitalisation, green building initiatives, and improved maintenance, alongside community efforts to rejuvenate heartland shops and address neighbourhood issues like noise and wildlife management.

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1 Mar 2023

Request for Pedestrian Overhead Bridge along Upper Serangoon Road

Dennis Tan requested that LTA prioritize installing lifts at the pedestrian overhead bridge near Blocks 362 and 363 Hougang Avenue 5 due to the high concentration of seniors in the area.
The Senior Parliamentary Secretary confirmed that LTA prioritizes such bridges based on senior and commuter numbers, proximity to transport and healthcare, and will give this location due priority.
Dennis Tan asked for an estimated timeline for the lift installation, noting community appeals and the bridge’s importance for accessing the MRT, bus interchange, and polyclinic.
The Senior Parliamentary Secretary stated that LTA is in Phase 4 of retrofitting, aiming for completion by 2028, and that the Hougang bridge will be ranked higher due to its senior population and nearby facilities, urging patience from residents.
The Speaker also mentioned the need for a pedestrian overhead bridge in Ubi, extending the discussion.

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28 Feb 2023

Rules for HDB Flat Applications by Singapore Citizens with Non-resident Spouse, Parents or Children

Leong Mun Wai questioned why Singapore Citizens with non-resident spouses, parents, or children aged 21–35 are only eligible to apply for HDB flats if the non-resident has a Long-Term Visit Pass or work pass with at least six months' validity at application, and why they are restricted to 2-room flexi flats instead of larger units.
Desmond Lee explained that the minimum citizenship requirement for new HDB flats is one Singapore Citizen aged 21 and above and one Singapore Permanent Resident, with single SCs aged 35 and above eligible for specific flat types.
SCs aged 21–35 without a family nucleus cannot buy HDB flats alone, but they may purchase resale flats if their non-resident family member holds a long-term visa (e.g., Long-Term Visit Pass or work pass of at least six months) to qualify as an essential occupier.
The policy ensures non-residents staying long-term can be included in housing applications, reflecting prioritization given Singapore's limited land and resources.
The Ministry of National Development will continue reviewing housing policies to meet evolving societal needs.

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28 Feb 2023

Homes with Annual Values between $13,000 and $21,000 and above $21,000

Leong Mun Wai asked for the percentage of homes with Annual Values between $13,000 and $21,000 and above $21,000 for each year since 2010.
Lawrence Wong provided data for the last five years, showing that in 2018, about 10% of homes had Annual Values between $13,000 and $21,000 and 20% had values above $21,000.
In 2023, these proportions increased to around 30% and 25% respectively due to rising market rentals.
The government clarified that 2023 social support scheme eligibility is based on 2022 Annual Values, not the revised 2023 figures, and will continue reviewing schemes to ensure support for those in need.

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27 Feb 2023

Central Fire Alarm System for All HDB Blocks

Louis Ng asked whether the Ministry would install central fire alarm systems in all HDB blocks and, if not, why not.
K Shanmugam explained that HDB flats are designed as fire compartments, so fires are usually contained within one flat and only nearby flats may need evacuation, reducing the need for block-wide systems.
Since June 2018, all new residential units and existing units undergoing fire safety works must install standalone Home Fire Alarm Devices, which provide early warning within each unit.

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27 Feb 2023

Siting Sports Stadium within Housing Estates

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked about the considerations for siting sports stadiums in housing estates and whether running tracks are standard amenities in every town.
The Senior Parliamentary Secretary explained that the Sports Facilities Master Plan aims to provide all HDB towns with either a Town or Regional Sports Centre, supplemented by Town Play Fields based on population trends and needs.
SportSG considers factors such as town population, sport popularity, usage rates, space availability, proximity to other amenities, and resident feedback when deciding on specific facilities.

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27 Feb 2023

Data on Selection of HDB Blocks for Home Improvement Programme

As of January 2023, 527 HDB blocks aged 30 years and above are eligible but pending selection for the Home Improvement Programme (HIP), while 102 blocks below 30 years have been selected since 2007, typically due to being part of older precincts.
The Ministry of National Development and HDB prioritize older flats for HIP while ensuring a geographical spread across estates, with Town Councils nominating eligible blocks for evaluation.
HIP projects were delayed due to COVID-19 but efforts are being made to expedite selection and rollout to benefit more residents.
The oldest unselected block and its location were not provided in the debate, but geographical spread is considered to balance age-related needs and the history of HDB town development.

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