Desmond Lee
Singapore
“The Leadership, Enrichment, Achievement, Participation and Service (LEAPS) 2.0 is a framework for recognising student participation and achievement in secondary school co-curricular programmes.”
“The Ministry of Education (MOE) is mindful of the impact that rising temperatures may have on our students, teachers and officials taking part in the National School Games. Matches are scheduled only after students have had the time to train and become progressively more heat acclimatised.”
“As shared in Parliament in March 2026, the proportion of students with special educational needs (SEN) in mainstream schools has remained stable, at around 7% of the overall student population. This stability is observed across both primary and secondary schools.”
“The Ministry recruits and assesses applicants based on merit and suitability for the teaching profession, regardless of gender. We look for individuals with a passion for teaching, a belief in the potential of every child, and who possess the values and character to make a positive difference in students' lives.”
“Over the past five years, an average of 750 teachers resigned from the Education Service annually, representing a resignation rate of around 2%.”
“MOE has also progressively strengthened open access within the Primary 1 Registration Framework through Phase 2C, which is open to students regardless of whether they have prior connections to the school. MOE had increased the number of reserved Phase 2C places from zero to 20 in 2014; and from 20 to 40 in 2022.”
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“We revised the Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS) eligibility conditions and balloting process in August 2021 to prioritise families with greater need for temporary housing while waiting for their new flats. Married couples with at least one child aged 18 and below, including those who are expecting their first child, enjoy priority in the PPHS ballot. We have also more than doubled the PPHS supply from 800 units in 2021 to about 2,000 units currently. The PPHS application rate, or the number of applicants per flat offered in each exercise, has come down significantly, from over 20 times in 2021, to around three times this year. In recent exercises, all married couple applicants with children have had a chance to select a flat, along with other PPHS applicants. We are working to double the PPHS supply to 4,000 units by 2025. This will allow more households to benefit from PPHS, even as we continue to prioritise married couples with children. We currently have no plans to provide additional ballot chances to any applicant group.”
“While Build-To-Order (BTO) flats are typically launched in the months of February, May, August and November, this may be adjusted from time to time. For example, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the planned May 2020 launch was postponed and combined with the August launch. The Housing and Development Board (HDB) strives to announce any changes to its launch exercises as early as possible to keep potential home buyers well-informed. In May 2023, technical glitches at the BTO and Sale of Balance Flats (SBF) launch resulted in a delay of the ballot results. To provide applicants from the May launch sufficient time to receive their ballot results and make an informed decision before entering another launch exercise, HDB postponed the next BTO launch from August to early October. This will have some knock-on effects on the following launch, which has been postponed to December 2023. We remain committed to provide a steady supply of new flats and will continue to have regular launches throughout the year to meet housing demand. We remain on track to launch about 23,000 flats in 2023 and a total of 100,000 flats from 2021 to 2025.”
“The National Parks Board (NParks) manages over two million urban trees in Singapore’s parks, park connectors, state lands and along roads. NParks’ trained arborists inspect trees once every six to 24 months and supervise the regular maintenance and pruning of trees. In doing so, the arborists would also check if any tree was obstructing the visibility of road signs and will carry out pruning so that road users can see the signs more clearly. To supplement these existing checks, NParks is also developing a visual tool which uses artificial intelligence to highlight tree foliage obstructing road signs.”
“In assessing applications for a Housing and Development Board (HDB) housing loan, HDB considers various factors, such as job stability, CPF contributions and monthly cash savings. In computing the eligible loan amount, HDB applies a set of mortgage financing guidelines, such as a maximum loan tenure of 25 years, loan-to-value limit of 80%, maximum Mortgage Servicing Ratio (MSR) of 30%, and interest rate floor of 3% per annum to ensure prudent borrowing. HDB does not reject housing loan applications based on whether the applicant’s MSR exceeds a particular threshold. The number of Self-Employed Persons (SEPs) who applied for HDB housing loans in the last five years is summarised in Table 1 below. HDB does not have further breakdown on whether these SEPs are platform workers or not. The Government does not collect housing loan data from financial institutions on SEPs as requested by the Member.”
“Flat owners who wish to install any items on HDB common property are required to seek permission from the respective Town Council, which will seek HDB’s consent before granting permission. Canopies installed on common property behind ground floor units without the Town Council’s permission are unauthorised installations. Town Councils can take enforcement action to remove such unauthorised installations, as they may pose safety and fire hazards to the public. High-rise littering is a serious form of anti-social behaviour that poses dangers to public safety and health. The National Environment Agency (NEA) works with Town Councils to tackle high-rise littering, such as conducting educational outreach to raise awareness of the effects of such anti-social behaviour. For areas with persistent high-rise littering, NEA deploys surveillance cameras and takes strict enforcement action.”
“The Executive Condominium (EC) Housing Scheme was introduced to provide an affordable option for higher-income Singaporeans who aspire to own private housing. EC developments are strata-titled and have similar design features and facilities to private condominium developments. There are also fewer restrictions on the purchase of EC units as compared to HDB flats. The measures in place to keep EC units affordable include eligibility conditions, such as citizenship, age and income ceiling, to buy EC units directly from developers, and restrictions on ownership and resale. There is a minimum occupation period of five years from the date of issue of the Temporary Occupation Permit, during which the EC units cannot be sold on the open market or fully rented out. Thereafter, during the next five years, EC units can only be sold to Singapore Citizens or Singapore Permanent Residents. From the eleventh year onwards, EC units can be transacted as regular private housing. The resale restrictions help to moderate the prices of resale EC units. Since 2021, three rounds of cooling measures have been implemented to promote a sustainable property market. The Government will continue to review our housing policies to ensure that the EC Housing Scheme remains relevant in meeting the housing needs of Singaporeans.”
“The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) regulates building works to ensure that they are carried out safely and do not impair the structural integrity of adjacent buildings. However, BCA does not impose a limit on the duration of such works as the amount of time taken will vary depending on factors, such as the scale and complexity of the works. The Member may wish to refer to the full written response provided on 3 July 2023 to her Parliamentary Question on the limit to number of days for demolition works in landed housing areas near residential sites. [Please refer to "Limit to Number of Days for Demolition Works in Landed Housing Areas Near Residential Sites", Official Report, 3 July 2023, Vol 95, Issue 105, Written Answers to Questions section.]”
“The Government also encourages employers to do their part in upskilling their employees by providing training subsidies and absentee payroll funding for approved courses. Taken together, the vast majority of Singaporeans do not have difficulty in paying for BCAA’s courses. We receive very few appeals for additional financial support. This year, only five out of the over 16,000 course applicants submitted appeals to BCAA. We look at each case carefully and our general approach is to encourage the appellant to explore the various support schemes available, including linking them up with relevant community self-help groups. Even so, we understand that some applicants may not wish to pay for the full course fees upfront. As such, instead of offering instalment plans, BCAA has been reviewing and repackaging its longer courses into bite-sized learning modules to make them more affordable and accessible. Under such a system, instead of paying for the entire course upfront, students only need to pay fees for each module as they progress. BCAA is also considering this “pay as you learn” approach for more of its shorter courses. On top of reducing the upfront payment for participants, this gives them flexibility to decide whether to complete the full course or just selected modules.”
“As part of our Built Environment (BE) sector transformation efforts, we want to encourage our workforce to continually upgrade their skills. That is why the BCA Academy (BCAA) offers a wide range of programmes targeted at all segments of the Built Environment workforce – from professionals to technicians and construction personnel. To ensure that its courses remain affordable and accessible, BCAA adopts a cost recovery pricing approach. This means that the fees are set based on the course duration and resources involved in organising and delivering the course. For instance, the Site Management of Precast Concrete Construction course costs $550. This is a 10-hour course that equips construction managers with the knowledge to plan and manage precast concrete construction site activities effectively. BCAA also offers longer courses, like the Specialist Diploma in Computational Building Information Modelling (BIM). Each module of the Specialist Diploma costs $3,500 and runs for three months. The course is designed for professionals in the Built Environment sector who are keen to use computational methods for building projects. Overall, the median fee for courses targeted at technicians and construction personnel is $750, while the median fee for professionals is $1,850. In addition, the Government offers generous funding support for Singaporeans in their upskilling journey. Singaporeans may receive funding support of up to 70% of course fees for approved courses, including those offered by BCAA. To illustrate, this means that a Singaporean only needs to pay $300 to take up an approved course that costs $1,000, excluding GST. Singaporeans can also use their SkillsFuture Credit to pay for the remaining course fees, further lowering the upfront payment they need to make.”
“HDB multi-storey car park (MSCP) rooftops are meant to provide unsheltered parking spaces. As part of greenery intensification efforts under the Green Towns Programme, MSCP rooftops that are not heavily used for parking are converted to extensive greenery and community or allotment gardens via the installation of the Prefabricated Extensive Green Roof Tray System, if found suitable. Studies by HDB have shown that this system can potentially mitigate heat gain by reducing surface temperature by an average of four degrees Celsius, as compared to a bare concrete surface. Not all HDB MSCP rooftops, even if not required for parking, are suitable for conversion to greenery or gardens. The feasibility of conversion depends on considerations, including structural load, the availability of electricity and water supply, potential disamenities to residents, whether retrofitting can meet fire safety standards and development plans for the area. Besides greenery or gardens, MSCP rooftops could potentially be put to other uses that benefit the community. We will continue to study approaches to make good use of our HDB MSCP rooftops.”
“As part of our planning process, environmental studies are required for developments which may potentially cause significant environmental impact. As the bus depot at Sungei Serangoon will be constructed on a brownfield site comprising primarily young regrowth scrubland, the potential impact on sensitive habitats was assessed to be limited and an environmental study was, therefore, not required. To mitigate any environmental impact, the Land Transport Authority will put in place measures, such as earth control measures and restricted working hours, during the construction of the bus depot.”
“The Housing and Development Board (HDB) is committed to ensuring a steady supply of new flats to meet the housing needs of Singaporeans. As Singapore develops, we will increasingly have to build within or near to existing estates and in more central areas. We remain committed to keeping home ownership affordable, maintaining a good social mix in every town and region and ensuring that our public housing system remains fair. A new Build-To-Order (BTO) classification – Standard, Plus and Prime – will be introduced in the second half of 2024. Standard flats will be offered across Singapore and will come with standard HDB subsidies and restrictions. Plus flats are in choicer locations within each region and will come with more subsidies, but tighter restrictions than Standard flats. Prime flats are in the choicest locations and will come with the most subsidies, but also the tightest restrictions. There will be more projects with good locational attributes, which may be categorised as Prime and Plus. Nevertheless, Standard flats will continue to form the majority of flats offered. HDB will announce the classification of the flats on offer at each sales launch.”
“About 900 public rental flats are currently under construction and will be completed in the next five years. About one-third will be in integrated blocks with both sold and rental flats, while the remaining will be in dedicated public rental blocks. We will continue building rental flats in integrated blocks where possible, across Standard, Plus and Prime projects, to ensure that our neighbourhoods remain inclusive.”
“The British Pendulum Number (BPN) is an objective measure of the level of slip resistance that a surface provides. A higher level of slip resistance leads to a lower risk of falling. The Housing and Development Board (HDB) has conducted tests to confirm that the slip-resistant treatment to toilet flooring under the Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE) programme is effective in providing slip resistance. After treatment, the flooring will achieve a BPN of 45 to 54, which exceeds the level of slip resistance (BPN of 35 to 44) stipulated under the Singapore Standard SS485:2001 for toilet flooring in wet conditions. The average lifespan of the slip-resistant treatment is three to five years, with proper usage and regular cleaning. The accumulation of excessive dirt or soap residue may reduce the effectiveness of the treatment over time. Flat owners are responsible for the maintenance of their treated toilet flooring. They may engage a contractor to carry out another round of slip-resistant treatment when the slip resistance of their toilet flooring is no longer effective.”
“Flat owners should ensure that their closed-circuit televisions (CCTVs) installed do not face the door or windows of other flats, to respect their neighbours’ privacy. Should there be feedback on CCTVs within a flat facing the door or windows of another flat, the Housing and Development Board (HDB) will work closely with grassroots leaders and community partners to advise the flat owner to adjust the angle of the CCTVs. Neighbours may also resolve CCTV-related disputes through direct discussions with their neighbours, mediation at the Community Mediation Centre or, as a last resort, file a claim before the Community Disputes Resolution Tribunals.”
“The tender restriction on Sigma Elevator Pte Ltd (Sigma) was lifted in October 2020 as the performance of Sigma's lifts had improved and was comparable to other lifts in public housing estates. Since the lifting of the tender restriction, the performance of Sigma’s lifts has continued to be stable and comparable to other lift brands. In the Housing and Development Board (HDB)’s tenders for supply and installation of new lifts, lift performance is a critical evaluation criterion. Tenderers with a higher lift fault rate will be given a lower score during the evaluation. In addition, tenderers will be disqualified from the tender if the track record and performance of the lifts do not meet the criteria.”
“The Housing and Development Board (HDB) physically inspects our rental flats and carries out repairs and maintenance promptly when tenants give feedback. While tenants are responsible for the repairs and maintenance of the rental flat as set out in the tenancy agreement, the cost of repairs and maintenance is generally borne fully by HDB, on a goodwill basis. For rental flats that are vacated and returned to HDB, HDB will carry out sprucing up works, such as cleaning and painting, installing new locks and repairing or replacing any defective fittings. The flats are inspected after the works are completed, before they are let out to new tenants. HDB also carries out periodic upgrading programmes for rental flats. Most rental blocks have been upgraded in tandem with upgrading programmes, such as the Home Improvement Programme. As part of HDB’s broader rejuvenation plans, older rental blocks may also be redeveloped while HDB continues to build new rental flats. This allows us to refresh our rental flat stock and offer tenants opportunities to move to newer rental flats or buy a sold flat.”
“Over the last three years, the Housing and Development Board (HDB) received feedback from about 270 households under the Joint Singles Scheme (JSS) per year, on average, regarding disputes between flatmates. This figure remains low, at about 2% of the total number of JSS households. Currently, HDB charges rent to JSS tenants on a household basis as they are joint users of the same space. Nevertheless, we recognise that rent can be a point of contention, especially when one person does not pay his or her share. We have been piloting the JSS Operator-Run (JSS-OR) typology since December 2021, under which tenants are charged rent on an individual basis so that rent is not a source of conflict. There is also an on-site operator to mediate among tenants if disagreements arise. With the experience from JSS-OR sites, we will review whether to expand this individual charging model to JSS households.”
“The Housing and Development Board (HDB) allocates Build-To-Order (BTO) flats through a computerised balloting system. The ballot system is designed to allocate flats efficiently while ensuring fairness to all flat applicants. HDB also provides additional support to households with more pressing housing needs. For example, eligible married couples and parents with young children will receive three ballot chances when they apply under the First-Timer (Parents and Married Couples) applicant category. Priority schemes, such as the Assistance Scheme for Second-Timers (Divorced/Widowed Parents) and the Senior Priority Scheme, also provide support to different buyer groups. As such, HDB accedes to requests for priority flat allocation on an exceptional basis and only to home seekers who face very extenuating circumstances and require special assistance. From July 2022 to August 2023, HDB received about 8,400 appeals for priority flat allocation. After carefully assessing each household’s unique circumstances and finances, HDB acceded to about 130 appeals, most of which involved home seekers who faced severe financial hardship and had no other housing options.”
“The Government does not have data on the projected number of tenders and private housing units that will be launched with co-living concepts in the next five years. During Our Housing Conversations, we engaged Singaporeans on potential new public and private housing typologies. The feedback from participants on co-living as a new housing typology was mixed. While some participants supported co-living as a possible new public housing typology for singles, others were ambivalent. We will have to study the feasibility and market acceptability of these new ideas before we decide whether to implement them.”
“The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) requires all new buildings and existing buildings undergoing major addition and alteration works to comply with the Code on Accessibility in the Built Environment. Under the 2019 edition of the Code (2019 Code), offices and business parks with a gross floor area (GFA) of 10,000 square metres or more, and mixed developments where the non-residential component has a GFA of 10,000 square metres or more, are required to provide at least one lactation room. Since the implementation of the 2019 Code in 2020, BCA has not granted any exemptions to these requirements.”
“Housing and Development Board coffee shop operators are required to have at least one halal stall. Should the halal stall cease to operate, the coffee shop operator is required to find a replacement within the current tenancy period. This is a contractual obligation which the coffee shop operator agreed to undertake as a condition for the tenancy agreement. No discounted rental is offered for the operator to find a replacement halal stall.”
“Renovation contractors are required to properly dispose of renovation debris at National Environment Agency-approved disposal sites by the end of each workday. The Housing and Development Board (HDB) sends circulars to remind contractors listed on HDB's Directory of Renovation Contractors on the proper disposal of renovation debris. In addition, HDB conducts site inspections to look out for improper disposal of debris. Renovation contractors who are found to have improperly disposed of renovation debris at the common areas of HDB estates may face a financial penalty of $500 and incur six demerit points. Renovation contractors who have accumulated 24 demerit points within a 24-month period may be suspended or debarred from carrying out new renovation works in HDB flats for the next 12 months. Town Councils are also empowered under the Town Councils Act to make by-laws to allow them to take action against illegal dumping at the common areas of HDB estates. This may include issuing a notice of composition to errant contractors for improperly discarding renovation debris at the common areas.”
“Besides renovation contractors, HDB also sends regular circulars to educate other stakeholders, such as the Singapore Furniture Association, retailers as well as delivery companies, on the proper disposal of bulky items, such as cardboards and styrofoam. HDB also made various efforts to educate residents on the proper disposal of bulky items and packing materials through the use of collaterals, short videos and posters co-branded with Town Councils screened on HDB's and Town Councils' Digital Display Panels, Branch Offices and town plazas. Residents can help to look out for and report indiscriminate dumping via the Municipal Services Office's OneService App. Going forward, HDB is introducing measures, such as providing additional capacity for waste disposal at new Build-To-Order precincts during the initial months when residents are moving in, as well as using technology for surveillance. We will share successful pilots with Town Councils.”
“First, renovation contractors carrying out works in HDB flats are required to properly dispose of renovation debris at National Environment Agency-approved disposal sites by the end of each workday. HDB sends circulars to remind contractors listed on HDB's Directory of Renovation Contractors on the proper disposal of renovation debris. Second, we have a system of penalties to take irresponsible renovation contractors to task. Renovation contractors found to have improperly disposed renovation debris on the common areas of HDB estates may face a financial penalty of $500 and incur six demerit points. Renovation contractors who have accumulated 24 demerit points within a 24-month period may be barred from carrying out new renovation works in HDB flats for the next 12 months. Third, HDB does carry out enforcement action. Between 2018 to 2022, an average of five renovation contractors per year were penalised with $500 and six demerit points for the improper disposal of renovation debris. Since the start of 2023, HDB has taken action against eight contractors. These contractors may be debarred from carrying out renovation work for a year once they have accumulated 24 demerit points within a 24-month rolling period. Town Councils are also empowered under the Town Councils Act to make by-laws to allow them to take action against illegal dumping at HDB common areas. This may include issuing a notice of composition to errant contractors for improperly discarding renovation debris at the common areas. Maintaining a clean environment is a collective responsibility and we can all play a part. HDB will work closely with Town Councils to step up public education and strengthen surveillance and enforcement on contractors.”
“Town Councils are responsible for managing and maintaining Housing and Development Board's (HDB's) common property. Town Councils are also appointed by HDB to maintain car parks. This includes cleaning and regulating the proper disposal of bulky refuse and debris. Since the establishment of the Town Councils in 1989, HDB has stopped providing haulage and debris removal services in new housing developments. Town Councils may consider providing haulage and debris removal services to keep common areas and car parks in HDB estates clean. Since 2019, all 78 new HDB car parks which are standalone and not part of any commercial developments are maintained by the Town Councils. Apart from Rivervale Shores, three other car park projects were progressively handed over to the respective Town Councils. All previous handovers went smoothly. Where car parks are opened in phases, it may not be practical to carry out joint inspections for every phase of the car park's opening. For the Rivervale Shores HDB project, which was a large development with 2,500 units compared to typical developments, the car park was progressively handed over in phases since May 2023, to allow residents to benefit from the use of the car park as soon as possible. The root cause of the build-up of bulky refuse and renovation debris around August 2023 was the indiscriminate dumping by renovation contractors, delivery personnel and movers. This is despite the Town Council's efforts to clear the renovation debris on a weekly basis since May and their public education efforts. Measures are in place to address these problems.”
“For the Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats launched for sale from May 2004, air-conditioner ledges are included as part of the strata area of the flats and belong to flat owners. This facilitates general cleaning and maintenance of the air-conditioner ledges by flat owners, as the ledges are accessible to them. It is not possible to retrospectively apply this treatment to flats launched for sale before May 2004. HDB does not monitor how regular the flat owners have been maintaining their air-conditioner ledges. However, where necessary, HDB carries out enforcement checks on potential killer-litter objects that may be on these ledges.”
“In the past two years, the Housing and Development Board (HDB) received a yearly average of about 1,200 cases of feedback on workmanship issues for the Home Improvement Programme (HIP). This constitutes about 1.5% of the total number of Dwelling Units undergoing HIP works per year. HDB does not track complaints received by constituencies. Instead, HDB monitors the performance of HIP contractors to determine their suitability for future tenders. HDB also regularly inspects works carried out by HIP contractors and engages the contractors to ensure quality and service standards are met. HIP works are covered under the one-year Defects Liability Period. Flat owners who encounter issues with HIP works within this period can approach HDB for assistance.”
“This question has been addressed in the oral reply to Parliamentary Questions on the new Housing and Development Board (HDB) framework for Build-To-Order (BTO) flats, which was delivered on 18 September 2023. [Please refer to "Social and Fiscal Impact from Introduction of Plus and Prime HDB Flats", Official Report, 18 September 2023, Vol 95, Issue 111, Oral Answers to Questions section.]”
“The scope of the Goodwill Repair Assistance (GRA) Scheme covers the repair costs borne by residents for cases of water seepage from the floor of second floor units to common areas, such as the community deck. For such cases, the repair cost is split equally between the Town Council and the flat owner, with each co-paying 50%. Under the GRA, HDB helps flat owners pay half of their share, reducing the owners’ co-payment to 25%. For cases where the water seepage is from the toilet, these are covered by upgrading works under the Home Improvement Programme (HIP). HDB does not have plans to extend the GRA Scheme and HIP to cover repairs at common areas, such as on external walls and void decks.”
“In the past five years, 34 blocks have successfully polled for the Lift Upgrading Programme (LUP). Out of these 34 blocks, there are 10 blocks with fewer than 10 Benefiting Units (BUs). The proportion of BUs in each block ranges between 3% and 100%. The Housing and Development Board (HDB) takes into consideration technical and financial feasibility when assessing which blocks to be offered LUP. The number of BUs or the proportion of BUs in the block are not overriding considerations. In some cases, HDB has offered LUP to blocks with a small number of BUs, if the LUP cost cap on a per-BU basis is met.”
“Build-To-Order (BTO) flat owners can opt for the Optional Component Scheme (OCS) to pre-install floor finishes, internal doors and sanitary fittings for a fee before they move in. From 2018 to 2022, on average, about 39% or 6,800 BTO flats launched per year did not come with the OCS as the components would be pre-installed in the flats during the construction process. Such flats include those that were built under the Prefabricated Prefinished Volumetric Construction method, flats with shorter waiting time of three years or less, and Community Care Apartments which come with pre-installed fittings for seniors aged 65 and above. Pedestal pans fall outside the scope of OCS, as they are pre-fitted in all BTO flats to meet the requirements to obtain the Temporary Occupation Permit.”
“We also have the Third Child Priority Scheme (TCPS) in which eligible families with three or more children will receive priority allocation for up to 5% of flats sold in the BTO and SBF exercises. TCPS is available for eligible families, regardless of whether they are first- or second-timer households. We generally do not have differentiated incentives or restrictions for households based on the number of children. What we have instead are the policies and priority schemes to facilitate marriage and parenthood, which give families choices and allow them to select a flat based on their specific needs, budgets and housing grant eligibility, as well as conditions, such as the Minimum Occupation Period. We also recognise that more Singaporeans are remaining single – some by choice, others by circumstances – and they, too, wish to have a place of their own. Over the years, we have adjusted our housing policies to meet their needs and aspirations. For example, for first-timer singles, we had increased the supply of 2-room flexi flats in the Non-Mature Estates that are set aside for them last year. With the implementation of the new flat classification from the second half of 2024, first-timer singles will have more locational options, as they will be able to purchase new 2-room flexi flats island-wide, across Standard, Plus and Prime projects, from HDB. Singles who would like to own a larger flat may purchase one from the resale market and may receive up to $95,000 in housing grants. We will continue to monitor the situation and adjust our housing policies where necessary to support the different segments of Singaporeans. This includes engaging Singaporeans to explore new ways to better meet their evolving housing needs and aspirations.”
“Given the land and resource constraints we face in Singapore, we have to balance the housing needs of different citizen segments carefully. We engaged over 16,000 Singaporeans through Our Housing Conversations conducted under the Forward Singapore exercise. Singaporeans collectively agreed that young married couples and families with young children have the most urgent need for housing and should be prioritised. This recognises that parents want to give their young children a conducive living environment to grow up in. For married couples who do not currently have children, supporting them in owning their first home helps them to settle down and set up their families. Today, the vast majority of flats are already set aside for first-timer families. From the upcoming Build-To-Order (BTO) exercise, the Housing and Development Board (HDB) will introduce a new applicant category, known as the First-Timer (Parents and Married Couples), or FT(PMC), for eligible families with at least one child aged 18 and below, or married couples aged 40 and below. FT(PMC) applicants will receive a total of three ballot chances for their flat applications in HDB’s BTO and Sale of Balance Flats (SBF) exercises in any estate. In addition, the current Parenthood Priority Scheme will be expanded to include FT(PMC) applicants and renamed as the new Family and Parenthood Priority Scheme. The scheme will provide priority allocation of BTO and SBF flats to eligible young married couples and parents with young children. We also understand that larger households may require a bigger living space of their own. Today, the flat allocation quota for 3-room and larger HDB flats are fully set aside for families.”
“This question has been addressed in the oral reply to Parliamentary Questions on the new Housing and Development Board (HDB) framework for Build-To-Order (BTO) flats, which was delivered on 18 September 2023. [Please refer to "Social and Fiscal Impact from Introduction of Plus and Prime HDB Flats", Official Report, 18 September 2023, Vol 95, Issue 111, Oral Answers to Questions section.]”
“As of August 2023, there are about 51,500 occupied flats under the Public Rental Scheme, with an average waiting time of five months. There are about 1,700 occupied flats under the Interim Rental Housing (IRH) scheme, which is offered on a case-by-case basis to lower-income families who are in transit between longer-term options. As there continues to be sustained demand for public rental flats, we expect the number of occupied public rental flats to increase slightly over the next year, but we will seek to keep waiting times stable. There are about 900 occupied flats under the Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS). The PPHS is open for application once every two months. Eligible applicants are put through a ballot and those shortlisted via the ballot are invited to select a flat and sign the tenancy agreement in the month following their application. They will collect the keys to the flat at the same time and can move in immediately. Even as more Housing and Development Board (HDB) Build-To-Order (BTO) projects are completed, we expect sustained demand for PPHS flats. We will double the PPHS flat supply from about 2,000 units at present to 4,000 units by the end of 2025. Nonetheless, supply remains limited, and we will not be able to offer a PPHS flat to every applicant. As such, potential PPHS applicants are encouraged to consider their full range of options, including open market rental or living with their families.”
“We thank the Members for their interest in Age Well SG initiatives. Under Age Well SG, the Ministry of National Development, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Transport will work together to make our HDB homes and precincts more senior-friendly to support ageing-in-place. This includes upgrading precincts to include more senior-friendly features and making homes more senior-friendly by expanding the suite of fittings that seniors can opt for under EASE 2.0. Details for both initiatives will be announced when ready.”
“These questions have been addressed in the oral reply to the Parliamentary Questions on the new HDB framework for Build-To-Order (BTO) flats, which was delivered on 18 September 2023.”
“About 18,000 self-employed applicants applied for the HDB Loan Eligibility or HDB Flat Eligibility letter between 1 January 2020 and 31 August 2023, of whom about 13,000 were successful and 5,000 were unsuccessful. In assessing applications for HDB housing loans, HDB considers factors besides CPF contributions, such as job stability and monthly cash savings. Other factors that are considered include the applicant’s age, monthly income, current loans and financial commitments and past repayment records. The prevailing mortgage financing rules, such as a maximum loan tenure of 25 years, Loan-To-Value limit of 80%, mortgage servicing ratio of 30% and interest rate floor of 3% per annum to compute the eligible loan amount, will also apply. We encourage all flat buyers to be prudent in borrowing, as purchasing a flat is a long-term financial commitment.”
“Where there are reasonable grounds to believe that a community animal has been abused or mistreated, the National Parks Board (NParks) will investigate and take the appropriate enforcement action. To facilitate investigations, NParks works closely with other agencies, including the Singapore Police Force, Housing and Development Board and others. That said, not all cases of missing community animals are linked to abuse by humans. Community cats and free-roaming dogs live in the open and move about freely, making it challenging to trace their exact whereabouts. An animal may have succumbed to other health and safety risks from its environment, such as exposure to the elements, road traffic accidents and diseases. It could also have been adopted. NParks will continue to work with stakeholders, including community caregivers and animal welfare groups, to promote the welfare of community animals. This includes encouraging responsible community caregiving and the rehoming of suitable animals. Members of the public can also play their part by reporting suspected cases of animal abuse to NParks and providing information to facilitate investigations.”
“Currently, the real estate tokenisation industry in Singapore is still nascent and unlikely to impact property prices. Nevertheless, we are monitoring the situation closely and will adjust our policies as necessary.”
“Between July 2015 and June 2023, less than 1% of the HDB resale flat transactions registered were sold for $1 million or more. Among the buyers of these flats, the median age was 40. About 94% of buyers were Singapore Citizens, and about 6% were Singapore Permanent Residents.”
“Foreigners are not allowed to buy HDB flats. The top nationalities of foreigners who have purchased non-landed private residential properties from 2015 to the first half of 2023 are American, Chinese, Indian, Indonesian and Malaysian.”
“As at end-July 2023, 8,597 residents, that is, flat owners and occupiers, living in HDB’s 2-room sold flats were single, that is, unmarried, divorced or widowed, and aged 50 to 60. The number for those aged 61 and above is 15,243.”
“The Pneumatic Waste Conveyance System (PWCS) is an automated waste collection system that uses high-speed suction via an underground pipe network to collect household waste. With the implementation of PWCS in Bidadari, the waste collection process has become cleaner and more efficient compared to conventional waste collection methods. Between 2020 and 2021, as many residents moved into Bidadari estate and carried out renovation works, a high volume of bulky refuse from renovation works was improperly disposed of in the PWCS, resulting in blockage. The bulky refuse has then to be cleared manually, generating odour in the process. To avoid such improper disposals, HDB and Jalan Besar Town Council (JBTC) have been actively engaging and educating residents on the proper use of the PWCS. In addition, JBTC has conducted regular washing of the Bin Centre to minimise odour generated from the Bin Centre. The PWCS vendor engaged by JBTC has also increased the frequency of the filter replacement to address the odour feedback from the exhaust system. With these measures, the situation has improved. Town Councils manage and maintain the common areas in HDB estates, including the PWCS. The PWCS is maintained by the appointed PWCS vendor under an agreement signed between Town Councils and the PWCS vendors, and Town Councils should seek reimbursement directly from their appointed PWCS vendor.”
“Contractors who have accumulated 24 demerit points within a 24-month period may be suspended or debarred from conducting any new renovation work in HDB flats for the next 12 months. On average, HDB took action against 61 DRC-listed contractors each year in 2021 and 2022 for flouting HDB’s renovation conditions/guidelines, such as failure to comply with conditions of the permit, failure to display the notice of renovation works, and conducting works beyond the permitted timing. In 2023, as at 30 June, there were 33 such cases. So far, none of the renovation contractors has accumulated 24 demerit points within a 24-month period, which would warrant a 12-month suspension.”
“Flat owners are required to engage a renovation contractor listed in HDB’s Directory of Renovation Contractors (DRC) and to apply for a renovation permit to carry out renovation works that may affect the structural integrity of the HDB block, for example, demolition of walls, removal of floor/wall finishes. Upon approval, HDB will issue a renovation permit and a Notice of Renovation to the owners/DRC-listed contractor. Since 2021, there has been a decline in the number of cases of feedback on renovation works being carried out beyond the permitted renovation timing. In 2021, 2022 and 2023 (as at 30 June), the number of such cases was 7,888, 5,166 and 2,437 respectively. For some of these cases, the source of the reported noise may be from minor DIY works carried out by flat owners, or works that are not regulated by HDB, for example, carpentry, installation of fixtures and electrical works. HDB strongly urges flat owners to comply with the permitted renovation timings and be considerate to their neighbours. In 2021 and 2022, an average of 51,477 households applied for renovation permits per year. In 2023, as at 30 June, 29,321 households have done so. Less than 10% of these households were given extension of the renovation period. HDB does not track such extensions as it is the responsibility of the renovation contractors to assess and communicate with their clients on the estimated duration of works. DRC contractors found to have infringed HDB’s terms of registration and renovation guidelines may be penalised with a financial penalty ranging from $500 to $5,000 and incur demerit points ranging from six to 12, depending on the nature and severity of the infringements.”
“The red-breasted parakeet is a non-native species that established a population in Singapore following the release or escape of such birds from captivity. When present in large numbers, non-native species can negatively impact native species through competition for food and nesting sites. They can also increase the chances of transmission of exotic diseases and parasites. The National Parks Board (NParks) adopts a science- and community-based approach to manage the populations of non-native bird species, so as to minimise their impact on native biodiversity and habitats. For example, to manage the population of red-breasted parakeets in Chua Chu Kang, NParks is working with the Chua Chu Kang Town Council to carry out tree pruning to disrupt the birds’ roosting and nesting sites. NParks undertakes direct population control where necessary, such as by trapping and removing congregations of these birds. NParks also raises awareness on the ecological impact of non-native species through public education and outreach and takes enforcement action against the illegal release of animals into the wild. Under the Parks and Trees Act, offenders caught releasing an animal in a national park or nature reserve can be fined up to $50,000. Under the Wildlife Act, offenders caught releasing wildlife in any place may be fined up to $5,000. NParks will continue to monitor and carefully manage the populations of non-native species, as well as deter the further introduction of such species into the wild. This will help to safeguard native biodiversity and preserve the resilience of our ecosystem in the long term.”
“Based on available data, the estimated number of developments with office and business park space by gross floor area (GFA) is shown in Table 1 below.”
“The Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme (SERS) was introduced in 1995 as part of our estate renewal strategy for older HDB estates. It is a highly selective programme which allows us to optimise land through the redevelopment of selected HDB precincts which have high development value. We have explained the criteria for selection of SERS sites in a previous reply in May 2022. The flats at Kampong Arang and Jalan Batu have been upgraded under the Main Upgrading Programme (MUP) in 2002. There are many programmes for estate renewal in addition to SERS, such as the Remaking Our Heartland (ROH) programme, Neighbourhood Renewal Programme (NRP) and Home Improvement Programme (HIP). We have also announced HIP II, which will provide a second round of upgrading for all flats when they are about 60 to 70 years old. These programmes will keep our HDB estates vibrant and the flats in good condition.”