Housing & estates — Topics

8 Nov 2022

Randomised Balloting Process for HDB BTO Flats for First-time Applicants

The Ministry explained that HDB uses a computerised balloting system to randomly shortlist BTO applicants, with separate rounds for priority schemes that do not differentiate between first-timers and second-timers, schemes that apply only to one group, and schemes with different quotas for each group.
The ballot process also accounts for household status, ethnic integration quotas, and other priority schemes by adhering to the Ethnic Integration Policy and allocating remaining flat quotas between first-timers and second-timers after priority schemes are applied.
All applicants shortlisted within the flat supply are randomly assigned queue positions for flat selection, ensuring impartiality in the process.
The computer ballot undergoes rigorous audits by internal and external auditors before and after shortlisting, including checks on the ballot algorithms and verification of results.

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8 Nov 2022

Contamination Rate of Recyclable Waste After Adoption of New Blue Recycling Bins

Hany Soh inquired whether the new blue recycling bins have reduced contamination rates and if collection frequency could be increased in HDB and private properties.
Grace Fu responded that the new bins were primarily introduced to boost capacity and productivity, not specifically to lower contamination, which remains a challenge due to improper disposal of non-recyclable items.
She noted that collection frequency for regular bins in HDB estates has been increased to at least three times weekly, with larger side-loader bins collected weekly, and more frequent collections are being explored for high-recycling areas.
The National Environment Agency has launched the Recycle Right Campaign to educate the public on proper recycling habits to address contamination issues.
Overall, the debate highlighted efforts to improve recycling efficiency and the ongoing need for public education to reduce contamination rates.

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8 Nov 2022

Funding of Tree Pruning Works Aimed at Modifying Habitats of Wild Birds

Town Councils use their operating funds to prune trees in HDB estates to reduce bird roosting habitats, in line with NParks' guidelines on greenery management and addressing bird-related disamenities.
NParks supports Town Councils by sharing best practices, such as advising on tree species less attractive to birds and providing a community-based approach to manage pest bird populations.
The funding for these works falls under Town Councils' responsibilities for maintaining common property, with NParks offering advice but not directly financing the pruning activities.

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8 Nov 2022

Utilisation of Open Space Car Parks in HDB Estates and Conversion of Those Underused to Communal Areas

Miss Cheryl Chan inquired about reviewing the utilisation of open space car parks in HDB estates and converting underused ones into communal facilities like senior wellness centres.
Desmond Lee stated that HDB monitors parking utilisation rates, which vary by estate, and considers repurposing low-use car parks after assessing feasibility, traffic impact, and resident disamenities.
HDB has already converted some Multi-Story Car Park upper levels for urban farming and communal use, and specific car park requests can be submitted to HDB for evaluation.

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8 Nov 2022

First-time Buyers No Longer Able to Purchase New HDB Flats under New Loan-to-Value Limit and Other Parameters in Recent Property Cooling Measures

Leong Mun Wai asked for the estimated number of first-time HDB buyers in 2022 who could have qualified under previous loan rules but would not meet the new cooling measures.
Desmond Lee explained the new measures include an interest rate floor of 3% and a lower Loan-to-Value limit of 80% to promote prudent borrowing amid rising rates.
He noted most buyers, including first-timers, are unaffected as they often do not take maximum loans and can use grants, CPF, and cash to purchase flats.
The measures aim to protect Singaporeans by ensuring loans reflect future interest rate risks and prevent overleveraging.
First-time buyers, especially lower-income households, remain supported through substantial grants like the Enhanced CPF Housing Grant.

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8 Nov 2022

Building Harmonious Communities through Responsible Use of Common Spaces in Public Housing Estates

Joan Pereira highlighted that HDB sky gardens are being misused by non-residents, causing noise, litter, and inconvenience to residents, especially during weekends and holidays.
She proposed adopting measures similar to Pinnacle @ Duxton, where non-residents pay a fee and register to limit access and reduce disamenities.
Senior Minister of State Sim Ann acknowledged the issues and outlined existing collaborative efforts with agencies, including patrols, signage, and night closures at some sky gardens.
Sim Ann emphasized that HDB sky gardens are designed to remain open and inclusive, but noted that design improvements and continued vigilance are needed to balance public access with residents’ well-being.
Both speakers agreed on the need for responsible use of common spaces and ongoing cooperation to foster harmonious communities in public housing estates.

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7 Nov 2022

Average Selling Price, Land Cost and Subsidy Per Square Foot Per HDB BTO Flat from 2012 to 2022

Leong Mun Wai requested detailed annual data from 2012 to 2022 on the average selling price, land cost, and subsidy per square foot for HDB BTO flats in prime, mature, and non-mature estates.
Desmond Lee explained that HDB prices BTO flats based on market value and applies a significant subsidy to ensure affordability, with the subsidy amount varying by project and flat type due to market conditions and attributes.
The minister stated that while construction costs rose, BTO prices remained stable due to increased subsidies, and the effective price for first-timer buyers is typically four to five times their annual household income with a low mortgage servicing ratio.
HDB pays fair market value for land, with proceeds returned to the Past Reserves, and incurred a significant deficit of $3.85 billion in FY2021 due to development costs exceeding selling prices.
Additional housing grants are available for specific groups but are not included in the base selling prices, and the government remains committed to keeping public housing affordable and accessible.

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7 Nov 2022

Common Defects of Floor-to-ceiling Window Panels in HDB Flats

Over the past five years, HDB received about 40 reports of defects in the upper movable portions of floor-to-ceiling windows, mostly due to damage from slamming in strong winds, and flat owners are responsible for repairs.
Defects in the lower fixed window panels are rare, with only one known case, and since these are common property, the Town Council handles repairs under the Building Maintenance and Strata Maintenance Act.
HDB does not track defects related to peeled solar films, as flat owners are responsible for installing and maintaining them.

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7 Nov 2022

Additional Options to External Retractable Clothes Drying Rack in Home Improvement Programme

The Minister explained that the external retractable clothes drying rack (ER-CDR) is an essential, fully subsidised component of the Home Improvement Programme (HIP) to prevent falls from height, citing over 100 cases of fallen bamboo poles since 2000, including deaths and injuries.
Ground-floor residents can opt out of installing the ER-CDR, as their use of bamboo poles does not pose the same safety risks as units above ground, but other residents cannot because the installation is a necessary external fixture for safety.
Residents seeking alternatives like indoor drying racks can purchase and install them separately from the market, but these are not included as optional components in the HIP for all residents.

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7 Nov 2022

Strategies for Human-wildlife Coexistence for Residents of Green Residential Sites

Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin inquired about educational plans for future green residential areas like Tengah and Dover to address potential wildlife incursions from nearby forests.
Desmond Lee outlined existing efforts, such as NParks and HDB engaging residents in estates like Bidadari through roadshows and talks to promote safe coexistence with wildlife.
He confirmed continued collaboration between NParks and HDB to educate residents and the wider community via platforms like school talks and webinars.

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7 Nov 2022

First-timer Singaporean Couples Unsuccessful in BTO Applications Multiple Times Since 2018

Minister Desmond Lee explained that first-timer families receive an additional ballot chance for each subsequent non-mature estate BTO application after two unsuccessful tries, and most are successful within three attempts.
Unsuccessful application counts reset if applicants decline a flat offer, and accumulating two non-selection counts may move them to the second-timer category for a year, though HDB can waive this on a case-by-case basis.
Applicants can increase their chances by applying for flats in towns or types with lower application rates, which HDB updates online during BTO exercises.
About 40% of invited applicants do not book a flat, and applying where the rate is 1.7 times or lower improves success odds.

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7 Nov 2022

Provision of Interim Rental Subsidies to Singaporeans Eligible for Public Rental Flats But Not Allocated Yet

Gerald Giam asked whether the Ministry would consider interim rental subsidies for Singaporeans eligible for public rental flats but not yet allocated due to supply constraints.
Desmond Lee responded that all eligible applicants are eventually allocated a flat and those with urgent needs are prioritized, so interim subsidies are not planned.
He noted that direct rental subsidies could inflate rents, making it costlier for others to rent on the open market.
HDB will continue assessing applicants’ circumstances and providing assistance where needed.

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7 Nov 2022

Enhancing Mortgage Lending Market to Promote Longer-term Fixed-Rate Mortgage Loans

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim proposed that HDB consider purchasing mortgages from private financial institutions or establishing a home mortgage company like Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae to promote longer-term fixed-rate mortgage loans.
Desmond Lee responded that HDB offers concessionary loans but does not intend to compete with financial institutions, noting Singapore’s stable funding environment makes entities like Fannie Mae unnecessary.
He emphasized that HDB will continue focusing on its core mission of providing affordable public housing rather than expanding into mortgage financing competition.

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7 Nov 2022

Outcome of Single Unwed Parents' Applications to Purchase HDB Flats in 2021

Mr. Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for National Development for statistics on single unwed parents' HDB flat applications in 2021 and the reasons for any rejections.
In 2021, HDB received 145 requests from single unwed parents to purchase a flat, with almost all approved.
Only 13 requests were rejected, due to applicants failing to submit required documents, lacking sufficient funds, or exceeding the income ceiling.

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7 Nov 2022

Study on Effect of HDB's 10-year Minimum Occupation Period on Projected Birth Rate Trends

The Ministry of National Development does not have a study on how the 10-year minimum occupation period for Prime Location Public Housing (PLH) flats may affect projected birth rates, but remains open to considering such a study.
The 10-year MOP for PLH flats is intended to curb speculation and ensure flats are used for long-term occupation, with the PLH model also offering 3- and 4-room flats for young couples starting families.
The government is committed to supporting marriage and parenthood aspirations by ramping up housing supply, with up to 23,000 BTO flats launched yearly in 2022–2023 and plans for up to 100,000 flats from 2021 to 2025.
First-timer applicants in non-mature estates are given priority, and a range of resale flats are available for immediate occupation to meet diverse housing needs.
Housing policies are continuously reviewed to ensure affordability, accessibility, and support for Singaporeans owning their first home.

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7 Nov 2022

Annual Revenue Received by SLA from Government Land Sales Since 2000

Leong Mun Wai requested a yearly breakdown since 2000 of SLA's land sale revenue for public housing, private housing, and non-housing uses.
K Shanmugam explained that land sale proceeds go to Past Reserves as they convert physical assets to financial assets and are not available for budget spending.
From FY2001 to FY2021, GLS sites yielded an average of $5.2 billion annually for public, private, and non-housing developments, with historical tender prices available on relevant agency websites.
Sales to HDB for public housing are separate from GLS, and their financial details are in HDB’s annual reports.

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7 Nov 2022

Primary Inhibitions Precluding Local Banks Offering Longer Fixed-Rate Mortgage Loans

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim questioned whether the government has engaged local banks to identify barriers to offering longer fixed-rate mortgages and studied if the absence of a government-backed mortgage company affects such offerings.
Tharman, for the Prime Minister, responded that longer fixed-rate loans may cost more and offer less flexibility, as banks price them higher due to interest rate risks and lock-in periods, which can disadvantage borrowers if rates fall.
He noted that local banks currently offer fixed-rate loans up to five years, reflecting customer preference for near-term certainty and refinancing options, as longer-term products have seen tepid demand.
Tharman added that Singapore's banks have strong capital and funding positions, making government-backed mortgage entities unnecessary, unlike in the U.S. where such entities provide liquidity and stability.

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7 Nov 2022

Review of Pet Cat Ownership in HDB Flats

The Ministry of National Development aims to complete its review of allowing pet cats in HDB flats by the latter half of next year following a six-month public consultation.
The review will consider feedback from over 30,000 survey responses and community dialogues, while balancing the needs of different residents and addressing concerns about disamenities.
Key factors include protecting public health and animal welfare, with proposals for a licensing and microchipping scheme to improve traceability and hold irresponsible owners accountable.
Existing cat owners, including those with multiple cats, will be supported through phased implementation of any new measures to help them adapt to changes.

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7 Nov 2022

Measures to Deter High-rise Bird-feeding

The Ministry partners with multiple agencies and Town Councils to use a mix of enforcement, public education, and targeted outreach to deter high-rise bird-feeding.
NParks and the NEA conduct ground surveillance and deploy posters to highlight the environmental consequences and ongoing enforcement efforts in HDB blocks.
Penalties under the Wildlife Act and Environmental Public Health Act include fines up to $10,000 for illegal wildlife-feeding and up to $10,000 for recurrent littering, with Corrective Work Orders also issued.

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7 Nov 2022

Inclusion of Quadrangles Bounded by HDB Blocks in Smoking Prohibition Regulations

Murali Pillai inquired about extending smoking bans to quadrangles bounded by HDB blocks due to their proximity to residential areas.
Grace Fu highlighted that smoking is already prohibited in many residential spaces like void decks and walkways to protect public health.
She noted that further extensions might unintentionally displace smokers to other areas, creating new disamenities.
The ministry and NEA will continue to review and consider additional prohibitions periodically.
Smokers are encouraged to be considerate of others to minimize second-hand smoke exposure.

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