Housing & estates — Topics

11 Sep 2017

Financial Loss Recorded in HDB's Annual Report

Ong Teng Koon queried whether the $625 million provision for foreseeable loss in HDB’s FY2017 annual report relates to housing subsidies and if they are allocated to those most in need.
Lawrence Wong confirmed the provision covers estimated losses from BTO projects, including housing subsidies, which result in BTO flats being sold below development cost.
He assured that eligibility criteria and means-tested grants target subsidies to lower- and middle-income Singaporeans, with more help for the lower-income.
HDB will continue to calibrate subsidies to keep public housing affordable.

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11 Sep 2017

Curb Illegal Gambling in HDB Estates

The Police maintain a tough enforcement stance against illegal gambling in HDB estates, with penalties including fines up to $5,000, imprisonment up to six months, or both.
Enforcement is complemented by public education and community partnerships to ensure sustainable outcomes, focusing on raising awareness of the consequences of illegal gambling.
The overall illegal gambling situation in Singapore is stable and under control due to strict laws, with enforcement actions taken when complaints are lodged about gatherings in common areas.

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11 Sep 2017

Building Maintenance and Strata Management (Amendment) Bill

The Bill amends the Building Maintenance and Strata Management Act to enhance governance and transparency, introducing measures such as requiring developers to chair the first AGM, transfer positive maintenance funds, and obtain pre-approval of maximum maintenance charges before sale.
It introduces safeguards to protect subsidiary proprietors, including capping proxy votes to prevent abuse, allowing safety equipment installations without MCST veto, and reserving council seats for different user classes in mixed-use developments.
Amendments clarify roles and responsibilities, such as defining common property to include shared structural elements and requiring special resolutions for common property changes, while providing exemptions for smaller developments and publishing guides to improve stakeholder understanding.

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11 Sep 2017

Petition

Mr Louis Ng presented a petition from seven single parents, highlighting difficulties in securing public housing due to HDB rules that do not recognize unmarried parents or divorced individuals as part of a family nucleus, leading to long debarment periods.
The petitioners cited a study by AWARE showing 95% of single mothers faced housing challenges and urged non-discriminatory rules instead of case-by-case exceptions, referencing Singapore's obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Key recommendations include amending the Housing and Development Act to prevent discrimination based on marital status and referring the issue to a Select Committee for further deliberation.
The petition was endorsed as compliant with parliamentary rules and referred to the Public Petitions Committee for review.

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1 Aug 2017

Number of HDB Flats Built Specifically for Senior Citizens Yearly since 2002

Henry Kwek asked for the yearly number of HDB flats completed since 2002 that are built specifically for seniors and the projected numbers for the next five years.
Lawrence Wong responded that 9,119 Studio Apartments were completed between 2002 and June 2017, with another 1,875 under construction and due by 2019.
He added that the Studio Apartment scheme was merged with the 2-room flats scheme in November 2015 to create the 2-room Flexi scheme, which reserves at least 40% of units in BTO projects for seniors.
Between November 2015 and May 2017, 9,147 2-room Flexi flats were launched and are expected to be completed progressively by 2021.
The figures provided cover completed and upcoming flats for seniors up to 2021, but no detailed yearly breakdown beyond what was stated was given.

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1 Aug 2017

Successful Applicants for Additional CPF Housing Grant

The Additional CPF Housing Grant (AHG) has assisted about 93,100 households as of 30 June 2017, aimed at helping low-to-middle-income families buy their first homes.
A key qualification requires at least one applicant to have worked continuously for 12 months before the flat application and remain employed at the point of application, ensuring they can service the mortgage.
HDB exercises discretion and flexibility for households who fall short of the 12-month work condition due to valid reasons, such as recent graduation, and the Ministry continues to review policies to support deserving applicants.

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1 Aug 2017

Efforts to Catalyse Reverse Mortgages for Private Housing

Financial institutions are permitted to offer reverse mortgages for private housing, though past offerings ceased due to lack of demand, and terms including interest rates are set commercially based on funding costs and credit risk.
The government has introduced measures like exempting certain mortgage equity withdrawal loans from the total debt servicing ratio framework to help retirees monetise their housing assets, with ongoing policy reviews to facilitate such options.
Alternatives to reverse mortgages exist, such as renting out properties or rooms, or using schemes like the HDB Lease Buyback Scheme and Silver Housing Bonus for eligible flat owners.

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1 Aug 2017

Review of HDB Blocks in Hougang for Lift Upgrading Programme

Png Eng Huat requested an update on the review of HDB blocks in Hougang not under the Lift Upgrading Programme (LUP) and the future of those excluded.
Lawrence Wong explained that LUP, started in 2001, aimed to provide direct lift access, with over 5,300 blocks initially lacking it, and many innovative solutions have been deployed to address technical and cost constraints.
Despite these efforts, about 150 blocks, including six in Hougang, remain unsuitable for LUP due to prohibitive costs or technical issues, and residents with urgent needs may seek case-by-case housing and financing assistance from HDB.

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1 Aug 2017

Bicycle Location Services for Bike-share Operators

Melvin Yong asked whether LTA uses bike-share operator data to create heatmaps for parking zones and if enforcement differs between private and HDB estates.
LTA uses heatmaps from operators, its own enforcement data, and public feedback to identify areas needing more parking and increased enforcement.
Enforcement against indiscriminately parked bicycles is consistent in all public spaces, including HDB estates and public streets outside private property.
LTA does not have jurisdiction over private land, where landowners may remove objects left without permission.

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1 Aug 2017

Availability of Heavy Vehicle Lots around HDB Towns

The Minister provided an update on the availability of heavy vehicle lots, noting that there are about 44,000 such spaces island-wide, exceeding the 33,000 heavy vehicles registered, with 75% provided by the private sector in industrial estates and the remaining 25% managed by URA and HDB in or near residential areas.
There are practical challenges in establishing heavy vehicle parks in residential areas due to land constraints and residents' concerns about noise and safety, leading to a focus on private sector solutions and temporary parks.
The government does not have a specific guideline on the accessibility of heavy vehicle lots by distance or travel time to HDB towns, but emphasizes the responsibility of business owners to secure parking and coordinate commuting options with drivers.

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1 Aug 2017

Actions against Short-term Rentals of Homes

The number of reported illegal short-term rental cases in private properties increased from 377 in 2015 to 608 in 2016, with 415 reports as of July 2017.
The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) takes action by serving enforcement notices to violators, and for recalcitrant offenders or egregious cases, court action is pursued under the Planning Act.
Residents can report suspected short-term rental breaches to the URA, which reviews all feedback regardless of the platform involved.

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1 Aug 2017

Fire Alarms for All HDB Blocks

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked if the Ministry will consider installing fire alarm systems for all HDB blocks.
The Ministry stated that HDB buildings are designed to meet current Fire Code requirements, with fire compartments, fire-rated doors and walls, and adequate escape routes.
For standalone residential blocks, fire alarm and sprinkler systems are not required by the Fire Code due to low fire spread risk, but mixed developments may require them.

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1 Aug 2017

Ban of Smoking at Open Windows of Residential Properties

Gan Thiam Poh proposed banning smoking at open windows of residential properties and mandating closed smoking rooms to protect non-smokers.
The Ministry of Environment and Water Resources stated it prohibits smoking in public areas and common spaces of residential buildings but cannot regulate private residential units.
The Ministry has no plans to require closed smoking rooms in homes, instead encouraging smokers to be considerate of neighbors.
Residents affected by second-hand smoke are advised to resolve issues amicably with neighbors or seek help from the Community Mediation Centre.

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1 Aug 2017

Building Maintenance and Strata Management (Amendment) Bill

The Second Minister for National Development presented the Building Maintenance and Strata Management (Amendment) Bill to update the existing Act and related laws.
The Bill aims to improve building maintenance standards and address gaps in the current strata management framework.
It was read for the first time and scheduled for a second reading at the next parliamentary sitting.

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4 Jul 2017

Residents on HDB Public Rental Scheme

Leon Perera asked how long the sale of a previous HDB flat is considered in appeals for lower rentals due to income changes, and whether divorcees' share of sale proceeds is factored into such decisions.
Lawrence Wong explained that HDB’s rental rates are highly subsidized and sales proceeds are considered when assessing eligibility for public rental flats, but not when evaluating appeals for lower rentals.
For rental appeals, HDB looks at current household income, expenses, and dependents, and may reduce rents or refer households to social agencies if they face genuine financial hardship.

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4 Jul 2017

Lift Trials and Lift Upgrading Programme in Bedok and Sengkang South

Mr Gan Thiam Poh inquired about the status of lift pilot trials for blocks in Bedok and the timeline for the Lift Upgrading Programme (LUP) in Sengkang South.
The LUP, launched in 2001, has provided lift access to most of the 5,300 original HDB blocks without full lift access, with about 150 blocks still unfeasible due to technical or cost constraints, including 17 in Sengkang South.
HDB has used innovative solutions like machine room-less lifts and home lifts in Bedok, but recent pilot trials for other lift types were found unfeasible.
Residents in urgent need of lift access due to medical conditions can seek housing and financing assistance from HDB on a case-by-case basis.

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4 Jul 2017

Time between Polling and Awarding a Contract for HDB's Home Improvement Programme

The HDB Home Improvement Programme (HIP) process typically takes about eight months to award contracts after project selection, followed by an average of nine months from contract award to polling, with work usually commencing around four months after polling.
Delays in HIP implementation can arise from technical constraints, site-specific issues, and complex designs such as electrical upgrading, with examples like Blocks 309–328 in Hougang experiencing delays of about 730 days due to discussions on electrical substations.
The straw poll is used to gather early resident feedback and inform the HIP package design, but its results are not counted toward the actual poll, which is the decisive vote for proceeding with the programme.

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3 Jul 2017

Estate Upgrading Programme for Private Estates

Sylvia Lim asked when the government will call for new proposals under the Estate Upgrading Programme (EUP) for private estates.
Lawrence Wong confirmed the government intends to continue inviting nominations for EUP but has not set a date for new submissions.
There are currently 17 ongoing EUP projects across various batches, with the most recent (Batch 9) awarded consultancy tenders last month.
The government plans to complete some ongoing projects first before calling for new nominations to better allocate resources.

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3 Jul 2017

Allowing Private Property Owners to Purchase HDB's 2-room Flexi Flats for Owner Occupation without Need to Dispose of Private Property

Lim Biow Chuan asked if private property owners can buy HDB 2-room Flexi flats for owner-occupation without selling their private property.
Lawrence Wong stated that new HDB flats are heavily subsidised and prioritised for first-time homebuyers and those who cannot afford private housing.
Private property owners are generally ineligible to buy new HDB flats, but those aged 55 and above can buy 2-room Flexi flats on short leases if they dispose of their private property within six months.

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3 Jul 2017

Conversion of Landed Properties for Student Accommodation

Sitoh Yih Pin asked whether converting multiple landed properties for student accommodation should be treated as non-residential use like a hostel, and if URA should regulate it to address resident inconveniences.
Lawrence Wong clarified that URA guidelines prohibit student hostels in landed estates, requiring planning permission for such use.
He noted that private homes can be rented to students only if they comply with residential guidelines, including minimum stay durations and occupancy caps to prevent overcrowding and tenant turnover issues.

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