A guide to claiming your SG60 vouchers, July BTO 2025: HDB launches 10,209 BTO and balance flats with perks for singles: Singapore live news

Yahoo

6 days ago

Singaporeans can start claiming their SG60 vouchers in July. Seniors aged 60 and above can claim them from 1 July, while those aged 21 to 59 can claim them starting from 22 July, 10am. The dates were split up to prioritise older Singaporeans to recognise their contributions to the country, and devote more resources in the first three weeks of July to support elderly Singaporeans who need help to claim the vouchers digitally or print them out, said Mayor of the South West District Low Yen Ling.
The Housing Board on 23 July launched 5,547 Build-To-Order (BTO) flats across eight projects in various estates like Bukit Merah, Bukit Panjang, Tampines, Clementi, including the first units in the new Sembawang North estate. Additionally, 4,662 balance flats were made available, with 1,733 units from the Sale of Balance Flats scheme already completed and ready for move-in. Most balance flats are located in Kallang/Whampoa, Tengah, and Geylang.
HDB also implemented several policy changes benefiting singles and families aiming to upgrade or right-size their homes with this exercise.
Read more in our live blog below, including the latest local and international news and updates.
A guide to claiming your SG60 vouchers
Singaporeans can start claiming their SG60 vouchers in July. Seniors aged 60 and above can claim them from 1 July, while those aged 21 to 59 can claim them starting from 22 July, 10am.
The dates were split up to prioritise older Singaporeans to recognise their contributions to the country, and devote more resources in the first three weeks of July to support elderly Singaporeans who need help to claim the vouchers digitally or print them out, said Mayor of the South West District Low Yen Ling.
Singaporeans can visit go.gov.sg/sg60v to claim their vouchers.
They will be required to log in with their Singpass account before receiving a link via SMS from SenderID 'gov.sg' to access their vouchers. No banking information or financial transactions are required to claim the vouchers.
For more information on claiming SG60 vouchers, read here.
HDB launches 10,209 BTO and balance flats, singles priority scheme begins
The Housing Board on 23 July launched 5,547 Build-To-Order (BTO) flats across eight projects in various estates like Bukit Merah, Bukit Panjang, Tampines, Clementi, including the first units in the new Sembawang North estate.
Additionally, 4,662 balance flats were made available, with 1,733 units from the Sale of Balance Flats scheme already completed and ready for move-in. Most balance flats are located in Kallang/Whampoa, Tengah, and Geylang.
HDB also implemented several policy changes benefiting singles and families aiming to upgrade or right-size their homes with this exercise.
Subsidies for four Prime projects in Bukit Merah, Toa Payoh, and Clementi were increased to enhance affordability. However, owners of these flats will face higher subsidy clawbacks upon resale – ranging from 11 to 12 per cent – reflecting the additional support received. These Prime flats also come with a 10-year minimum occupation period (MOP).
The remaining four projects fall under the Standard classification, which do not have a subsidy clawback clause and come with a five-year MOP. HDB said that seven in 10 BTO flats from this exercise have waiting times of four years or less, signalling a relatively quicker path to homeownership for many applicants.
For more on the HDB BTO and SBF July exercise, read here.
Ozzy Osbourne dies at 76
Ozzy Osbourne, the frontman of Black Sabbath and a heavy metal legend, died on Tuesday (22 July) at 76 after a years-long struggle with Parkinson's disease.
"It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning. He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time," read a statement by his family.
Osbourne last performed two weeks ago at Black Sabbath's last concert in his and the band's hometown of Birmingham, England.
The legendary musician announced in January 2020 that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, following two years of escalating health problems.
For more on Ozzy Osbourne's life and achievements, read here.
Woman evacuated from lift in Supreme Court building after falling glass triggers emergency stop
A woman was evacuated from a lift in the Supreme Court building on 22 July after a glass panel from the building's facade fell and triggered a safety mechanism that halted the lift. The incident occurred around 2pm, when the falling panel cracked a secondary glass roof above the lift shaft, according to a Singapore Courts spokesperson.
A few glass fragments landed on the lift car's roof, activating a safety feature that stopped the lift. A staff member of court was trapped inside the lift at the time. She was rescued by a lift technician and was unharmed, said the spokesperson.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it received a call for assistance at 1 Supreme Court Lane, in the City Hall area, at about 2.40pm. One person was assessed for minor injuries but declined to be taken to the hospital
"We have promptly cordoned off the affected area, including all lifts situated under the glass roof, to ensure public safety," said the Singapore courts.
No other structural damage has been identified, and the overall structure remains intact, they added.
For more on the falling glass at the Supreme Court building, read here.
Singaporeans still hold the world's most powerful passport
Singapore has once again tops the Henley Passport Index, allowing Singaporeans to continue being the holder of the world's most powerful passport. According to the latest Henley Passport Index released on 22 July, Singaporeans enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 193 out of 227 destinations worldwide.
This is a slight dip from the 195 destinations recorded in the January 2025 edition of the index, but it was not enough to knock the Republic out of the top spot.
Singapore lost visa-free or visa-on-arrival access after Pakistan and Mauritania, a West African nation, changed their visa policies, moving from visa-on-arrival to e-visa systems. Despite the change, Singapore's passport continues to offer its holders exceptional global mobility.
Japan and South Korea came in second, with access to 190 destinations. Seven European Union countries – Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy and Spain – share third place with access to 189 destinations.
The US slipped again to 10th place and is on the brink of dropping out from the top 10 ranking. This is the lowest position ever for the US in the 20-year history of the index.
The Henley Passport Index is based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
For more on the passport rankings, read here.
2 dead in Toa Payoh flat fire
A man and a woman were found dead after a fire broke out in a flat at Block 173 Toa Payoh Lorong 1 on the evening of 22 July. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said on Facebook later that evening that it responded to the fire at around 7.30pm.
The living room was on fire when firefighters arrived at the unit, located on the second floor. The flat was filled with smoke and they extinguished the fire using a water jet.
"During the firefighting operation, firefighters found two unresponsive persons inside the unit and immediately carried them out," SCDF said.
The police added that a man and a woman were found "lying motionless in a unit and were pronounced dead at the scene by an SCDF paramedic".
Cai Yinzhou, an MP for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, told reporters that three units on the same floor were affected and HDB has arranged alternative accommodation for the occupants.
For more on the Toa Payoh flat fire, read here.
Singaporeans can start claiming their SG60 vouchers in July. Seniors aged 60 and above can claim them from 1 July, while those aged 21 to 59 can claim them starting from 22 July, 10am.
The dates were split up to prioritise older Singaporeans to recognise their contributions to the country, and devote more resources in the first three weeks of July to support elderly Singaporeans who need help to claim the vouchers digitally or print them out, said Mayor of the South West District Low Yen Ling.
Singaporeans can visit go.gov.sg/sg60v to claim their vouchers.
They will be required to log in with their Singpass account before receiving a link via SMS from SenderID 'gov.sg' to access their vouchers. No banking information or financial transactions are required to claim the vouchers.
For more information on claiming SG60 vouchers, read here.
The Housing Board on 23 July launched 5,547 Build-To-Order (BTO) flats across eight projects in various estates like Bukit Merah, Bukit Panjang, Tampines, Clementi, including the first units in the new Sembawang North estate.
Additionally, 4,662 balance flats were made available, with 1,733 units from the Sale of Balance Flats scheme already completed and ready for move-in. Most balance flats are located in Kallang/Whampoa, Tengah, and Geylang.
HDB also implemented several policy changes benefiting singles and families aiming to upgrade or right-size their homes with this exercise.
Subsidies for four Prime projects in Bukit Merah, Toa Payoh, and Clementi were increased to enhance affordability. However, owners of these flats will face higher subsidy clawbacks upon resale – ranging from 11 to 12 per cent – reflecting the additional support received. These Prime flats also come with a 10-year minimum occupation period (MOP).
The remaining four projects fall under the Standard classification, which do not have a subsidy clawback clause and come with a five-year MOP. HDB said that seven in 10 BTO flats from this exercise have waiting times of four years or less, signalling a relatively quicker path to homeownership for many applicants.
For more on the HDB BTO and SBF July exercise, read here.
Ozzy Osbourne dies at 76
Ozzy Osbourne, the frontman of Black Sabbath and a heavy metal legend, died on Tuesday (22 July) at 76 after a years-long struggle with Parkinson's disease.
"It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning. He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time," read a statement by his family.
Osbourne last performed two weeks ago at Black Sabbath's last concert in his and the band's hometown of Birmingham, England.
The legendary musician announced in January 2020 that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, following two years of escalating health problems.
For more on Ozzy Osbourne's life and achievements, read here.
Ozzy Osbourne, the frontman of Black Sabbath and a heavy metal legend, died on Tuesday (22 July) at 76 after a years-long struggle with Parkinson's disease.
"It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning. He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time," read a statement by his family.
Osbourne last performed two weeks ago at Black Sabbath's last concert in his and the band's hometown of Birmingham, England.
The legendary musician announced in January 2020 that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, following two years of escalating health problems.
For more on Ozzy Osbourne's life and achievements, read here.
Woman evacuated from lift in Supreme Court building after falling glass triggers emergency stop
A woman was evacuated from a lift in the Supreme Court building on 22 July after a glass panel from the building's facade fell and triggered a safety mechanism that halted the lift. The incident occurred around 2pm, when the falling panel cracked a secondary glass roof above the lift shaft, according to a Singapore Courts spokesperson.
A few glass fragments landed on the lift car's roof, activating a safety feature that stopped the lift. A staff member of court was trapped inside the lift at the time. She was rescued by a lift technician and was unharmed, said the spokesperson.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it received a call for assistance at 1 Supreme Court Lane, in the City Hall area, at about 2.40pm. One person was assessed for minor injuries but declined to be taken to the hospital
"We have promptly cordoned off the affected area, including all lifts situated under the glass roof, to ensure public safety," said the Singapore courts.
No other structural damage has been identified, and the overall structure remains intact, they added.
For more on the falling glass at the Supreme Court building, read here.
A woman was evacuated from a lift in the Supreme Court building on 22 July after a glass panel from the building's facade fell and triggered a safety mechanism that halted the lift. The incident occurred around 2pm, when the falling panel cracked a secondary glass roof above the lift shaft, according to a Singapore Courts spokesperson.
A few glass fragments landed on the lift car's roof, activating a safety feature that stopped the lift. A staff member of court was trapped inside the lift at the time. She was rescued by a lift technician and was unharmed, said the spokesperson.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it received a call for assistance at 1 Supreme Court Lane, in the City Hall area, at about 2.40pm. One person was assessed for minor injuries but declined to be taken to the hospital
"We have promptly cordoned off the affected area, including all lifts situated under the glass roof, to ensure public safety," said the Singapore courts.
No other structural damage has been identified, and the overall structure remains intact, they added.
For more on the falling glass at the Supreme Court building, read here.
Singaporeans still hold the world's most powerful passport
Singapore has once again tops the Henley Passport Index, allowing Singaporeans to continue being the holder of the world's most powerful passport. According to the latest Henley Passport Index released on 22 July, Singaporeans enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 193 out of 227 destinations worldwide.
This is a slight dip from the 195 destinations recorded in the January 2025 edition of the index, but it was not enough to knock the Republic out of the top spot.
Singapore lost visa-free or visa-on-arrival access after Pakistan and Mauritania, a West African nation, changed their visa policies, moving from visa-on-arrival to e-visa systems. Despite the change, Singapore's passport continues to offer its holders exceptional global mobility.
Japan and South Korea came in second, with access to 190 destinations. Seven European Union countries – Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy and Spain – share third place with access to 189 destinations.
The US slipped again to 10th place and is on the brink of dropping out from the top 10 ranking. This is the lowest position ever for the US in the 20-year history of the index.
The Henley Passport Index is based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
For more on the passport rankings, read here.
Singapore has once again tops the Henley Passport Index, allowing Singaporeans to continue being the holder of the world's most powerful passport. According to the latest Henley Passport Index released on 22 July, Singaporeans enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 193 out of 227 destinations worldwide.
This is a slight dip from the 195 destinations recorded in the January 2025 edition of the index, but it was not enough to knock the Republic out of the top spot.
Singapore lost visa-free or visa-on-arrival access after Pakistan and Mauritania, a West African nation, changed their visa policies, moving from visa-on-arrival to e-visa systems. Despite the change, Singapore's passport continues to offer its holders exceptional global mobility.
Japan and South Korea came in second, with access to 190 destinations. Seven European Union countries – Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy and Spain – share third place with access to 189 destinations.
The US slipped again to 10th place and is on the brink of dropping out from the top 10 ranking. This is the lowest position ever for the US in the 20-year history of the index.
The Henley Passport Index is based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
For more on the passport rankings, read here.
2 dead in Toa Payoh flat fire
A man and a woman were found dead after a fire broke out in a flat at Block 173 Toa Payoh Lorong 1 on the evening of 22 July. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said on Facebook later that evening that it responded to the fire at around 7.30pm.
The living room was on fire when firefighters arrived at the unit, located on the second floor. The flat was filled with smoke and they extinguished the fire using a water jet.
"During the firefighting operation, firefighters found two unresponsive persons inside the unit and immediately carried them out," SCDF said.
The police added that a man and a woman were found "lying motionless in a unit and were pronounced dead at the scene by an SCDF paramedic".
Cai Yinzhou, an MP for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, told reporters that three units on the same floor were affected and HDB has arranged alternative accommodation for the occupants.
For more on the Toa Payoh flat fire, read here.
A man and a woman were found dead after a fire broke out in a flat at Block 173 Toa Payoh Lorong 1 on the evening of 22 July. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said on Facebook later that evening that it responded to the fire at around 7.30pm.
The living room was on fire when firefighters arrived at the unit, located on the second floor. The flat was filled with smoke and they extinguished the fire using a water jet.
"During the firefighting operation, firefighters found two unresponsive persons inside the unit and immediately carried them out," SCDF said.
The police added that a man and a woman were found "lying motionless in a unit and were pronounced dead at the scene by an SCDF paramedic".
Cai Yinzhou, an MP for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, told reporters that three units on the same floor were affected and HDB has arranged alternative accommodation for the occupants.
For more on the Toa Payoh flat fire, read here.