Housing & estates — Topics

2 Mar 2021

HDB Flats Sold Under Open Booking Scheme

Since its launch in June 2019, 1,521 HDB flats have been sold under the Open Booking scheme, comprising 46 2-room Flexi, 273 3-room, 601 4-room, 597 5-room/3Gen, and 4 Executive flats as of 22 February 2021.
HDB suspends open booking twice a year to inject fresh supplies of flats, primarily from unselected flats after the Sale of Balance Flats exercises.
HDB has explored ways to offer more flats, such as ceasing the Re-Offer of Balance Flats exercises from February 2020 to direct more unselected flats to open booking.
The government will continue to refine its sales processes to better meet the needs of home seekers.
Open booking allows home seekers to apply online and get a flat selection appointment on a first-come-first-served basis, potentially as early as the next working day.

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1 Mar 2021

Prioritisation Criteria for Planned Lift Installation for Pedestrian Overhead Bridges Across Different Towns in Singapore

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for Transport about the distribution of planned lift installations for pedestrian overhead bridges across different towns and whether prioritisation criteria should consider the relative proportion of seniors in a town, not just absolute numbers, to avoid disadvantaging elderly in younger towns.
He also specifically queried whether the overhead bridge near Block 327A Anchorvale Road could be retrofitted with a lift to benefit seniors and if it would be prioritised in future retrofitting within Anchorvale.
Ong Ye Kung responded that prioritisation is guided by the number of seniors and commuters with mobility challenges who will benefit, and how well the bridge connects them to public transport and healthcare, rather than the proportion of seniors in a town.
He noted that lifts have been provided at bridges near Sengkang General and Community Hospital to serve seniors and patients, and the bridge at Block 333D is being fitted with lifts, with LTA periodically reviewing its programme.

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1 Mar 2021

Roll-out of Home Fire Alarm Device Assistance Scheme

Miss Cheryl Chan asked for an update on the rollout of the Home Fire Alarm Device Assistance Scheme and any issues faced.
Since its launch in June 2018, about 43,000 HFADs have been installed in public rental flats, with a target to complete installation for all 60,000 flats by this year.
The main issues reported are some residents declining installation due to concerns about allowing contractors into their homes and the possibility of false alarms.

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1 Mar 2021

Average Number of Occupants in 1- and 2-room Rental Flats

Leon Perera asked for the number of children and average occupants in 1- and 2-room rental flats.
Desmond Lee stated there are about 4,000 children in 1-room flats and 18,000 in 2-room flats.
The average occupants per unit with children are three for 1-room flats and four for 2-room flats.
Families with three or more members can request to move from 1-room to 2-room flats or apply for two adjacent rental flats.
Larger families may be offered 3-room rental flats on a case-by-case basis.

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26 Feb 2021

Frequency of Maintenance Checks Conducted on Senior Fitness Corners and Playgrounds in Public Estates and Plans to Utilise Inclusive Design for Persons with Different Abilities and Needs

Town Councils are responsible for the maintenance of senior fitness corners and playgrounds in HDB estates and decide on the frequency of checks.
Community spaces like playgrounds and fitness corners are designed to be inclusive and accessible, following standards such as the BCA's code of accessibility and SS457:2017 for playground equipment.
Since the 2000s, new HDB developments have included accessible features like wheelchair-friendly fitness equipment and playgrounds with transfer platforms for children with different physical abilities.
Older HDB estates can have more accessible facilities introduced through upgrading programmes like the Neighbourhood Renewal Programme (NRP).
HDB plans to continue designing new developments to be universally accessible, including initiatives like pictograms on signage for the elderly and those with dementia.

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26 Feb 2021

Statistics on Residents who Aspire for Better Housing in HDB Sample Household Survey 2018

The HDB Sample Household Survey 2018 found that 35.2% of residents overall aspired for better housing, with younger residents showing higher aspirations.
Among those aspiring for better housing, 15.7% of existing HDB flat owners wanted private property, while 15.2% desired a larger HDB flat.
Additionally, 4.3% of renters aimed to upgrade from rental to owned HDB flats, reflecting aspirations across different housing types.

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26 Feb 2021

Rationale for Maximum Weight Limit of Commercial Vehicles in HDB Carparks

The 2,000 kg weight limit for commercial vehicles in HDB car parks is set for safety reasons, as heavier vehicles can obstruct other users' views, block door access, and cause noise or air pollution.
HDB allows some flexibility for vehicles slightly above the limit if they fit in the parking lot without causing obstructions or pollution, especially in surface car parks.
Multi-storey car parks have stricter weight limits due to structural constraints, so only vehicles near 2,000 kg that fit within the lot are permitted.
Commercial vehicles that cannot park in HDB facilities are directed to commercial, industrial, or heavy vehicle parks designed for such use.
The rationale focuses on balancing resident safety and convenience while maintaining flexibility for vehicles that meet basic fit and non-obstruction criteria.

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26 Feb 2021

Application for Waiver of Resale Levy by Seniors and Single Parents with Dependants

Nadia Ahmad Samdin asked for the number of appeals and successful waivers for resale levy from seniors applying for 2-room Flexi flats and single parents with children over the past three years.
Desmond Lee explained that HDB does not track appeals by specific groups but has assisted seniors by capping the resale levy at $30,000 and adjusting it based on lease length, with 6,460 senior households benefiting from 2018 to 2020.
HDB also flexibly handled appeals from single parents, approving 535 cases from 2018 to 2020 to reduce or defer the resale levy for those with children.
The government aims to ensure fair subsidy allocation while providing targeted relief for seniors and single parents facing financial or housing needs.
Households needing help with the resale levy can approach HDB for case-by-case assistance.

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25 Feb 2021

Multi-storey Carparks in Fernvale for Urban Farming by Residents

Gan Thiam Poh asked whether the Ministry would consider allowing some multi-storey car parks in Fernvale to be used for urban farming by residents.
Grace Fu Hai Yien explained that rooftop urban farms on HDB Multi-Storey Carparks support the “30 by 30” goal and that commercial tenders have been awarded, with a second tender launched.
She noted that site selection considers factors like MSCP utilisation, structural safety, infrastructure, and surrounding developments to ensure resident needs are not compromised.
For recreational farming, residents can engage in home gardening, rent allotment plots, or join community gardens, with NParks working to expand such initiatives.
Agencies will assess Fernvale MSCPs among other sites for future urban farming opportunities.

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25 Feb 2021

Outcome of Pilot Care Close to Home Service Model in HDB Estates

The Care Close to Home pilot, launched in 2014, provided nurse-led home care to about 6,000 seniors in HDB rental estates but was found to not fully meet clients' needs, as many were relatively well or required more intensive support than offered.
The Ministry of Health reviewed the pilot from 2018 to 2020 and noted mixed outcomes, including good accessibility but gaps in service depth for those with complex health and social needs.
The pilot will transition from May 2021 to 2024 into a new eldercare centre model offering common services like active ageing, befriending, and referrals, with additional care options layered in for frailer seniors.
The transition aims to better align services with seniors' needs, enabling smoother referrals to home personal care or community rehabilitation where required.
The goal is to scale up and improve community-based care to help all seniors age in place more effectively.

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24 Feb 2021

Requirement for Developers to Spell Out Availability of Additional Car Parking on Roads Connecting Inter-terrace Houses in Estate to Allow Buyers to Make Informed Decisions

Ms Ng Ling Ling asked if developers must disclose whether roads between inter-terrace houses allow extra car parking to help buyers decide and prevent future complaints.
The Minister replied that housing developers already provide key project details under rules, including plans and any authority-imposed conditions, for buyer awareness.
He added that while authorities assess on-street parking on connecting roads, information may not be ready at sale, but buyers can request it from developers.

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24 Feb 2021

Consideration to Implement Alternative Policies for HDB Flat Owners Seeking to Sell Their Flats before Minimum Occupation Period

Gan Thiam Poh suggested that HDB consider alternative policies, such as a tiered gains tax, for flat owners wishing to sell before the Minimum Occupation Period (MOP).
Desmond Lee emphasized that the MOP is essential to ensure owner-occupation and deter speculation, but HDB already allows case-by-case waivers for extenuating circumstances like financial hardship or divorce.
He noted that imposing an additional gains tax could burden households already facing difficulties and might not effectively deter speculation, especially among wealthier buyers.
The Minister concluded that allowing pre-MOP sales even with a tiered tax would undermine the MOP’s intent and could inadvertently favor those able to afford the tax.
The debate centers on balancing flexibility for genuine needs while preserving the affordability and purpose of HDB flats.

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24 Feb 2021

Restrictions on Stateless Persons Attempting to Buy or Rent HDB Flat

Christopher de Souza asked the Minister for National Development about restrictions on stateless persons attempting to buy or rent an HDB flat and whether these could be eased.
Desmond Lee explained that restrictions on HDB purchases or rentals apply equally to stateless persons as to other Singapore Permanent Residents (SPRs) and non-residents, with no special differentiation.
Stateless persons who are SPRs may buy or rent HDB flats under the same rules as other SPRs, such as by forming a family nucleus with a Singapore Citizen or meeting residency conditions for resale flats.
Stateless non-residents cannot buy or rent HDB flats directly but may live in one as an occupier if part of an eligible SC or SPR family; HDB reviews appeals on a case-by-case basis for genuine housing difficulties.

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24 Feb 2021

Changes in Planning Parameters for Land Use for Residential, Leisure, Community and Transport Infrastructures

Mr Gan Thiam Poh asked if there are changes to planning parameters for land use in new towns covering residential, leisure, community, and transport infrastructures.
Desmond Lee confirmed that HDB collaborates with various agencies to ensure facilities are accessible and that plans are regularly reviewed to address evolving needs such as ageing, remote work, and digital lifestyles.
He noted that COVID-19 accelerated trends like remote work and online shopping, prompting planners to study how these changes affect neighbourhood design and space usage.
URA, HDB, and relevant agencies will continue monitoring trends to ensure facilities remain adequate and well-placed for population needs and changing lifestyles.

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24 Feb 2021

Proposal for Projects with Four or Fewer Units to be Covered by Housing Developers (Control and Licensing) Act

Leon Perera questioned the basis for the HDCLA’s threshold of more than four units and proposed including projects with four or fewer units under the Act.
Minister Desmond Lee explained that the threshold is because such small projects are typically built by individual owners for their own use or by small developers where purchasers can negotiate terms without the standard agreements.
The Minister noted that projects with four or fewer units make up only 0.5% of the pipeline supply and have not generated adverse feedback in the past three years.
The Government committed to periodically reviewing the HDCLA to explore necessary regulations for safeguarding purchasers’ interests.

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24 Feb 2021

Percentage of HDB Flats Approved for Renting Out in Open Market

As of January 2021, about 6% of one million sold HDB flats are approved for renting out, with roughly one-third each being 3-room, 4-room, and other flat types, though breakdowns by town are not provided.
Approximately 27% of rented flats are occupied by households with Singaporean or Malaysian tenants, while 73% include tenants of other nationalities.
Since 2014, HDB has enforced a Non-Citizen Quota to cap flats wholly rented to non-Malaysian foreigners at 11% per block and 8% per neighbourhood, with minimal impact so far.
As of January 2021, the NC quota affects about 1% of HDB blocks and fewer than 1% of neighbourhoods.
The government emphasises ongoing monitoring to maintain a balanced mix of nationalities and prevent foreign enclaves.

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24 Feb 2021

Placing Applicants for BTO Flats on Queue System Instead of Ballot System after Three Unsuccessful Attempts

Ms Ng Ling Ling asked about the success rates of families downgrading to smaller BTO flats and whether a queue system should replace the ballot after three unsuccessful attempts.
Minister Desmond Lee provided data showing that in 2019 and 2020, around 90% of successful second-timer applicants succeeded on their first attempt, with only 2-6% succeeding on the third attempt.
The Minister highlighted alternative options such as open booking for immediate allocation and resale flats, which offer greater flexibility and availability for families in urgent need.
HDB also provides priority schemes for second-timer families and assesses cases with extenuating circumstances individually for assistance.

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24 Feb 2021

Number of Isolated Elderly Living within Purchased HDB Flats who are on ComCare Support

Ms Carrie Tan asked if the Ministry of National Development shares data with the Ministry of Social and Family Development on isolated elderly HDB flat owners receiving ComCare support and what the figures were over the last five years.
As of end 2016, there were about 120 such beneficiaries, rising to 560 by end 2020, attributed to an ageing population and improved access to ComCare through Social Services Offices.
These elderly receive a support package including cash aid, household and medical bill assistance, and are connected to services like befriending and active ageing programmes if needed.

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24 Feb 2021

Breakdown of Cost Per Year for Government to Subsidise Each Public Rental Household

The government spends about $10,000 per year on average to subsidize each public rental household, with total annual costs for all 50,000 households amounting to roughly $500 million in rent subsidies and $145 million in building and management costs.
Building, land, finance, and upgrading works account for 60% of the total costs, while administrative, maintenance, and ancillary costs make up the remaining 40%.
Public rental rents are highly subsidized, with monthly rents as low as $26 for a 1-room flat and $44 for a 2-room flat, compared to open-market rates.
The median stay in public rental housing is seven years, during which households receive ongoing support to achieve home ownership through partnerships with social service agencies.
Total costs can vary yearly due to factors like major upgrading works for older rental blocks, but the average remains consistent over time.

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