Housing & estates — Topics

3 Oct 2022

Utilisation Rate of Parking Lots in Multi-storey Car Parks of Newer HDB Estates

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked about the utilisation rates of parking lots in newer HDB estates like Sengkang and Punggol, the average usage-to-empty lot ratio, and plans to repurpose underutilised lots.
Desmond Lee responded that HDB monitors car park utilisation, with an average season parking take-up rate of 66% islandwide and 50% to 70% in Sengkang and Punggol.
HDB considers repurposing underutilised car parks for other uses, such as community gardens or urban farms, subject to feasibility and resident impact assessments.

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3 Oct 2022

Successful Appeals by HDB Flat Owners against Sale of Their Flats Compulsorily Acquired by HDB

From January 2018 to June 2022, the Minister for National Development acceded to 140 appeals by HDB flat owners against compulsory acquisition of their flats.
HDB undertakes compulsory acquisition for major infringements like unauthorised renting or persistent mortgage arrears despite assistance, as a last resort.
Compensation for acquired flats considers factors such as the severity of infringement, case circumstances, and administrative costs, and aims to prevent flat owners from gaining undue financial benefits.
Flat owners can appeal to the Minister against the acquisition decision or compensation amount, and the 140 successful appeals were among such cases reviewed.

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3 Oct 2022

Percentage of Young Couples with Successful Applications for HDB Flats Through Existing Schemes

For the past five years, the Minister provided percentages of young couples successfully applying for HDB flats through Sale of Balance Flats, Open Booking, and the Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme, but noted these schemes are not the main supply source.
The government encourages young couples to apply for Build-To-Order flats in non-mature estates, where nearly 90% of first-timer families secure a flat within two attempts and almost all succeed within three tries.
First-timer families can also buy resale flats with grants up to $160,000, and the Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme has expanded supply to 1,800 units by 2023, increasing access to temporary housing.

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3 Oct 2022

Use of Grassroots Organisation Scheme in Obtaining BTO Flats and Executive Condominiums

Leon Perera asked for the number of grassroots leaders who used the MND Grassroots Organisation Scheme to get BTO flats and ECs over the last five years, and the total launches they could apply for.
Edwin Tong stated that about 87,000 homes were launched for public sale in the last five years, with an average of 42 grassroots leaders obtaining flats under the scheme annually.
The scheme allows eligible grassroots leaders to apply for BTO flats and ECs in their constituency after three years of service.
The number of leaders using the scheme is small, accounting for about 0.1% of all grassroots leaders each year.

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3 Oct 2022

Pegging Affordability of HDB Flats to Median Household Incomes or Other Income Indicators

Yip Hon Weng inquired whether the affordability of HDB flats should be pegged to median household incomes or alternative income or wealth indicators, noting the income disparity between the 30th percentile and median earners.
Desmond Lee deferred the response, stating that the question on public housing affordability would be addressed during the Parliamentary Sitting on 4 October 2022, alongside related queries.
The debate centers on identifying appropriate benchmarks for housing affordability, with a focus on inclusive income metrics beyond the median.
The government's approach involves consolidating responses to multiple housing affordability questions for a comprehensive parliamentary answer.
The discussion highlights concerns about income inequality and the need for tailored affordability frameworks in public housing policy.

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3 Oct 2022

Progress of Scale-up of National Recycling Programme

The Ministry is making recycling more convenient by providing blue bins to HDB blocks, private properties, and condos, with new HDB blocks since 2014 fitted with recycling chutes, and deploying bins in public areas; e-waste and beverage container schemes will further complement the National Recycling Programme.
To address contamination and improve habits, the Recycle Right Campaign launched in 2019 introduced a mascot and online tools, leading to a decrease in contamination rates since January 2022; a new compact household recycling container is also being designed with the Singapore Institute of Technology.
Recycling bin collection frequency at HDB estates has been increased to at least three times weekly since April 2020, with larger-capacity bins introduced where space allows, and resources being deployed to areas with higher recycling rates.

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3 Oct 2022

Wait Times from Application to Offer of BTO Flats and Applicants' Rejection Rate

Minister Desmond Lee noted that tracking average and longest wait times from application to offer is not meaningful due to applicants not applying consecutively and many declining offers, with about four in ten not taking up flat invitations.
Over the last five years, the average number of attempts for applicants to secure a BTO flat was less than two times.
HDB has increased first-timer allocation quotas for flats in Non-Mature Estates, raising the set-aside rates for 3-room and larger flats to at least 85% and 95% respectively.
To boost supply, HDB launched up to 23,000 flats per year in 2022 and 2023, a 35% increase from 2021, and is prepared to launch up to 100,000 flats from 2021 to 2025 if needed.
The government continues to monitor housing demand and supply to meet the needs of Singaporeans, especially first-time home buyers.

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3 Oct 2022

Impact of Applicants Rejecting Chance to Choose BTO Flats

About 40% of BTO flat applicants reject their booking invitations, citing reasons like unavailable preferred units, intent to apply in other exercises, or choosing resale flats, which HDB notes can disadvantage others with more urgent housing needs.
HDB incurs operational costs by processing applications and preparing flats for future sales, and it imposes non-selection counts that penalize repeat rejecters by restricting their participation in future exercises for a year.
First-timer families benefit from an additional ballot chance for non-mature estate BTO applications after two unsuccessful tries, but this advantage is lost if they decline a flat when offered, resetting their count to zero.

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3 Oct 2022

Public Education on Opting for Lease Buyback Scheme or Downgrading to Smaller Flats

Between 2017 and 2022, annual numbers of seniors aged 65 and above who downgraded to 2-room Flexi flats ranged from 90 to 440, with 331 such seniors in 2022 up to August, and they averaged about 1.6 attempts to secure a flat.
To support demand, at least 40% of 2-room Flexi flat supply is reserved for seniors, with BTO launches set to increase to up to 23,000 flats per year in 2022 and 2023, and upcoming flats available in towns like Bukit Batok, Tengah, Yishun, Queenstown, and Kallang/Whampoa.
The Ministry and CPF Board conduct public education through HDB InfoWEB, media, talks, seminars, exhibitions, community events, and personalized letters to inform seniors about housing monetisation options like the Lease Buyback Scheme and downgrading, with plans to further enhance outreach efforts.

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13 Sep 2022

Data on Completed But Vacant HDB Units by Flat Type and Vacancy Rates

Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked the Minister for National Development for annual data on completed but vacant HDB units, broken down by flat type and vacancy rates, within one year of obtaining Temporary Occupation Permits over the past 10 years.
As of 31 July 2022, there were 1,037,013 completed HDB flats, with 1,465 units (0.1%) vacant and not yet booked.
Most vacant units were offered under Sale of Balance Flats exercises where flat selection was incomplete or were scheduled for future exercises.

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13 Sep 2022

Data on Private Residential Properties Bought by Locals and Foreigners in Past Three Years

Gan Thiam Poh asked the Minister for National Development for data on the total number and percentage of private residential properties bought by locals and foreigners each year for the past three years.
Desmond Lee responded by providing annual breakdowns of the number and percentage of private residential property purchases by residential status from 2019 to the first half of 2022 in a table.

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13 Sep 2022

Annual Subvention Grant to Town Councils with Raising of GST in 2023 and 2024

The government announced it would provide funding to Town Councils to absorb the additional GST payable on Service and Conservancy Charges, as stated in the February 2022 Budget.
Minister Lawrence Wong confirmed this support was detailed to Town Councils by the Ministry of National Development in August 2022.
The funding aims to offset the GST increases scheduled for 2023 and 2024, ensuring no additional cost to Town Councils from the tax hike.

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13 Sep 2022

Progress on Measures to Achieve United, Caring and Inclusive Society in Singapore

The government is advancing initiatives to foster unity, care, and inclusion through deliberate measures like integrated housing, schooling, and national service, which are bearing fruit and creating daily opportunities for Singaporeans to interact and understand one another.
Recent surveys and programs, such as the Singapore Kindness Movement and SG Cares, show growing neighbourly relations and volunteerism, with over 30,000 volunteers serving 240,000 beneficiaries since 2018, while efforts continue to bridge social gaps and expand circles of care.
The Forward Singapore exercise seeks to refresh the social compact through collective action involving government, community, businesses, and residents, building on experiences from COVID-19 and initiatives like the Alliance for Action to uplift low-wage workers and strengthen civic culture.

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13 Sep 2022

Increase in Primary School Capacity in Housing Estates with New Developments

Derrick Goh requested an increase in Primary 1 places at North View and Huamin Primary Schools to accommodate new residents in Yishun Spring BTO estate.
MOE explained that school planning considers current and future population trends, and adjusts intakes year-by-year to meet demand from new housing developments.
There are sufficient Primary 1 places in Yishun for the current registration exercise, with 70 places still available in a nearby school after Phase 2C.
MOE will continue monitoring demand and supply trends and adjust intakes as needed in the coming years.

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13 Sep 2022

Improvement in Wait Times Given Increase in Allocation Quota for HDB BTO First‐timer Applicants

First-timer applicants in non-mature estates cannot meaningfully have their median wait time tracked because many decline invitations or apply across multiple exercises, though nearly 90% secure flats within two attempts and almost all within three tries.
To improve certainty, HDB increased allocation quotas for first-timers in non-mature estates from August 2022, setting aside at least 85% of 3-room and 95% of 4-room and larger flats, up from previous levels of 70% and 85%.
HDB is ramping up supply with up to 23,000 flats launched annually in 2022 and 2023—a 35% increase from 2021—and is prepared to launch up to 100,000 flats from 2021 to 2025 if needed to meet demand.

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13 Sep 2022

Ensuring Housing Needs of Singles and Singaporeans are Met

The debate centered on whether the BTO eligibility age for singles should be lowered from 35 to 28, with the opposition arguing that singles face significant barriers to home ownership due to rising resale prices, long waiting times, and the need for independent living space.
The government acknowledged the concerns of singles and highlighted measures taken, such as increased quotas for 2-room Flexi flats and grants for first-time singles, while noting that public housing must be prioritized for families given limited land and resources.
Both sides agreed on the need to address the housing supply-demand imbalance, with the government committing to ramp up BTO launches and engage in public consultations as part of the Forward Singapore exercise to consider evolving housing needs.

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12 Sep 2022

Eligibility of Single Parents with Interim Judgment of Divorce for Subsidised Flat under Assistance Scheme for Second-Timers and Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme

Leon Perera asked if the Assistance Scheme for Second-Timers and Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme would be extended to single parents with an interim judgment of divorce, following a 2019 policy change that already allows divorced parties to apply for subsidized HDB flats after obtaining an interim judgment.
Desmond Lee confirmed that both schemes are already open to single parents with an interim judgment of divorce, provided they have settled ancillary matters like matrimonial property and child custody.
Second-timers can get priority under the Assistance Scheme for Second-Timers if they apply for specific new flats and meet eligibility conditions, while those with booked flats can access the Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme if they meet citizenship and income requirements.

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12 Sep 2022

Number of Undisclosed HDB Flat Subletting Cases Found Between 2010 and 2021

Miss Cheryl Chan asked about the number of undisclosed HDB flat subletting cases from 2010 to 2021, the penalties for homeowners, and how HDB can improve enforcement of rental rules.
Desmond Lee stated that HDB acts against unauthorized subletting, with penalties including written warnings, fines up to $50,000, and compulsory acquisition, noting 730 cases were acted on between 2010 and 2021, including about 70 flats compulsorily acquired.
HDB conducts routine inspections, investigates public feedback, and uses a hotline and community programs to deter and uncover unauthorized renting, while publicizing enforcement actions.

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12 Sep 2022

Waiting Times for HDB Rental Flat Allocations under Public Rental Scheme

The average waiting time for HDB rental flat allocation is eight months, with expedited processing for applicants facing medical or exceptional circumstances.
HDB has removed the zonal approach for rental flat applications, allowing approved applicants to select from all available flats across Singapore to reduce waiting times in high-demand areas.
The overall supply of rental flats is currently sufficient to meet demand, but the Ministry is monitoring increased post-pandemic demand and studying options to augment supply if needed.

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12 Sep 2022

Measures to Ensure New Buildings and Estates are Designed for Easier Maintenance to Minimise Mosquito Breeding

The Minister for National Development explained that NEA's Code of Practice on Environmental Health provides guidelines for building design to minimise mosquito breeding, including the use of anti-mosquito devices and the disallowance of roof gutters in new developments.
HDB implements these guidelines by ensuring adequate gradients in roofs, paved areas, and drains to prevent water stagnation, and uses direct rainwater downpipes and anti-mosquito devices in floor traps.
HDB’s landscaping guidelines avoid plants that can trap water, and the agency regularly reviews designs with new technology and feedback from Town Councils and residents.

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