logo
Priority for singles, higher quota for second-timer families to kick in from HDB's July BTO exercise

Priority for singles, higher quota for second-timer families to kick in from HDB's July BTO exercise

Straits Times4 days ago
Find out what's new on ST website and app.
The July exercise will also see enhancements to the Deferred Income Assessment scheme and the Fresh Start Housing Grant take effect.
SINGAPORE – A slew of policy changes will kick in, starting with the upcoming HDB's Build-To-Order (BTO) flat sales exercise in July, benefiting singles as well as families looking to upgrade or right-size their homes.
Laying out the changes in a statement on July 20, the Housing Board said the one benefiting singles involves a
previously announced
new
F
amily
C
are
S
cheme , meant to also provide singles with priority access to BTO flats when they buy one near or with their parents.
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong had announced the scheme
in his first National Day Rally speech in 2024 as a means to bolster intergenerational support among families.
Without the update, priority access would remain reserved only for married couples and their parents.
HDB on July 20 said first-time single buyers currently have up to 65 per cent of two-room flexi BTO flats and up to 5 per cent of Sale of Balance Flats (SBFs) set aside for them after such flats are allocated to seniors.
Within these quotas, up to 30 per cent of two-room flexi BTO flats and up to 2 per cent of SBFs will be set aside for first-timer singles applying under the new scheme.
The remaining quotas will be for other first-timer singles, HDB said.
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Singapore 1 in 3 vapes here laced with etomidate; MOH working with MHA to list it as illegal drug: Ong Ye Kung
Singapore HSA extends hotline hours, launches new platform to report vaping offences
Singapore 2-in-1 airport police robot on trial can patrol and serve as PMD with ride-hailing feature
Asia Tearful relatives await news of victims in Vietnam boat capsize
Singapore ComfortDelDro to discipline driver who flung relative's wheelchair out of taxi
Multimedia How to make the most out of small homes in Singapore
Asia Over 380,000 people affected by autogate glitch at JB checkpoint over 2 days
Singapore Minor Issues: Why I didn't send my daughters to my brand-name primary school
HDB, meanwhile, specified that there will be no change to the existing priority access for married couples and seniors.
The new scheme has a second component which grants singles priority if they jointly apply for two units in the same BTO project with their parents. But this would kick in only from the October sales exercise, HDB said.
The change pertaining to families is for those applying for a BTO for the second time. HDB said it will increase the allocation quota of three-room and larger flats for this group by 5 percentage points from
the July exercise .
This is to support these families' 'upgrading aspirations and right-sizing plans', it stated.
With the change, up to 20 per cent of three-room Standard flats and up to 10 per cent of three-room Plus and Prime flats and four-room and larger flats would be set aside for second-timer families.
First-timer families would, however, still have at least 80 to 90 per cent of three-room and larger flats set aside for them, HDB noted.
The July exercise would also see enhancements to
the Deferred Income Assessment (DIA) scheme and the Fresh Start Housing Grant take effect, HDB said.
The DIA scheme lets couples defer their income assessment until nearer the key collection date, so they can qualify for a bigger loan as their incomes are likely to be more stable and higher by then, without deferring their flat application.
Under the enhanced DIA scheme, only one of the two parties needs to be a recent or current full-time student or national serviceman before a couple can apply for a new flat with its help.
Previously, both parties needed to meet this requirement.
The
increase of the Fresh Start Housing Grant from $50,000 to $75,000 for second-timer public rental households with children was announced at the Ministry of National Development's Committee of Supply debate earlier this year.
HDB said this change, also to kick in from the July exercise, will help eligible second-timer families use the increased grant to buy a new two-room flexi or three-room standard BTO, or SBF flat, on a shorter lease.
About 5,500 BTO flats in Bukit Merah, Bukit Panjang, Clementi, Sembawang, Tampines, Toa Payoh and Woodlands will be launched in the July exercise, HDB said. Some 5,030 flats were launched in the
last BTO exercise on Feb 10 .
More than 4,600 SBF units will also be up for picks in the concurrent SBF exercise to take place in July, it added.
'We will continue to refine our public housing policies to keep public housing affordable, accessible and inclusive for Singaporeans,' HDB said.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

First BTO flats in Greater Southern Waterfront, Mount Pleasant to go on sale in October
First BTO flats in Greater Southern Waterfront, Mount Pleasant to go on sale in October

Business Times

timean hour ago

  • Business Times

First BTO flats in Greater Southern Waterfront, Mount Pleasant to go on sale in October

[SINGAPORE] The first flats in two new housing estates – the Greater Southern Waterfront and Mount Pleasant – will be among 10 Build-To-Order (BTO) projects that will go on sale in October. An assisted-living project in Sengkang, which will be the fifth of its kind in Singapore, will also be on offer. The Housing Board will offer about 9,100 flats in Ang Mo Kio, Bedok, Bishan, Bukit Merah, Jurong East, Sengkang, Toa Payoh and Yishun. The project on the site of the former Keppel Club in Bukit Merah, along Telok Blangah Road, will have about 870 units of two-room flexi, three- and four-room flats, and a pre-school. The upcoming blocks will be between 19 and 46 storeys high, and one of them will have rental flats. The development is located between Telok Blangah and Labrador MRT stations. It will kickstart the development of the Greater Southern Waterfront and will form part of 6,000 HDB flats and 3,000 private homes that will be built there. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Tuesday, 12 pm Property Insights Get an exclusive analysis of real estate and property news in Singapore and beyond. Sign Up Sign Up Property analysts said the project could fall under the Prime category, given its location on the city fringe, and is expected to be highly sought after. Plus and Prime flats, which are closer to the city centre, transport nodes and amenities, come with stricter resale conditions, such as a 10-year minimum occupation period and a subsidy clawback, unlike Standard flats. Christine Sun, chief researcher and strategist at Realion Group, expects high demand for the flats at the Greater Southern Waterfront as there is a lack of affordable housing in the area. 'Previously, Singaporeans intending to reside in the area would have to purchase resale condominiums, which may price out the middle-income Singaporeans,' she said. Lee Sze Teck, senior director of data analytics at real estate agency Huttons Asia, also expects the project to be popular among flat applicants, as units on the top floors may have unblocked sea views. A second BTO project in Bukit Merah is a 1,020-unit development along Jalan Bukit Merah and Redhill Close. It is about a 10-minute walk to Redhill MRT station. Analysts also expect this project to fall under the Prime category as many amenities, such as hawker centres, supermarkets, coffee shops and a polyclinic are located nearby. In Toa Payoh, a 1,350-unit project comprising two-room flexi, three- and four-room flats will be built in the new Mount Pleasant housing estate, along Thomson Road. The development will have a pre-school, eatery, supermarket and shops. Two of its blocks will be integrated with public rental flats and one block will have rental units only. It is a five-minute walk from the future Mount Pleasant MRT station on the Thomson-East Coast Line. The project is the first of six BTO projects to be built in the 33ha estate on the site of the Old Police Academy, which will house about 5,000 flats. A view of the new Mount Pleasant housing estate on the site of the Old Police Academy on Mar 5. PHOTO: ST Analysts expect the Mount Pleasant project to be classified as Prime. Sun said the project could see strong interest from families as it is located close to schools like Raffles Girls' School, Raffles Institution, CHIJ Primary and Secondary schools and SJI International School. In Sengkang, a site bounded by Fernvale Street and Fernvale Link will house 830 two-room flexi, four- and five-room flats near Kupang LRT station. It will also have 200 community care apartments, which come with senior-friendly fittings such as wheelchair-accessible bathrooms, as well as health and community services that are meant to help seniors live independently. In Bishan, about 530 units of two-room flexi, three- and four-room flats will be built along Street 12, less than 10 minutes on foot from Bishan MRT station. In Ang Mo Kio, HDB is set to launch a 1,420-unit project comprising two-room flexi, three- and four-room flats. It will be built along Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5, and the site is about 1km from Yio Chu Kang MRT station. ITE College Central and Nanyang Polytechnic are in the vicinity. Wong Siew Ying, head of research and content at property agency PropNex Realty, said she expects the Bishan and Ang Mo Kio projects - which could be classified as Plus flats - to draw healthy interest as previous BTO projects in the two towns were oversubscribed. Two projects in Bedok and Jurong East are the only ones in the upcoming launch that will have all flat types on offer: two-room flexi, three-, four- and five-room flats as well as three-generation units. The 850-unit project in Bedok will be built along Chai Chee Street. The nearest MRT station is Kembangan, about 1.5km away. In Jurong East, the 620-unit project will be bounded by West Coast Road and Jurong Town Hall Road. It is near a future MRT station on the Jurong Region Line. Two projects in Yishun will offer a combined 1,370 flats. The larger one with 810 units is located in Chencharu, an upcoming HDB residential area. Situated along Chencharu Link and Bah Soon Pah Road, the development is adjacent to Peiying Primary School and Naval Base Secondary School. Khatib MRT station is a 10-minute walk away. The other project, which has 530 units of two-room flexi and four-room flats, is bounded by Yishun Ring Road and Yishun Street 31. In October's sales exercise, a total of about 2,890 two-room flexi flats will be on sale. This is the largest supply of such flats offered in a BTO exercise since the introduction of the two-room flexi scheme in November 2015, noted Wong. 'The higher supply will help to cater to demand for such units among first-timer singles,' she said. The Mount Pleasant project will offer 540 two-room flexi flats, the largest in the upcoming launch. THE STRAITS TIMES

Xi says China, EU must deepen trust but bloc chief urges ‘real solutions'
Xi says China, EU must deepen trust but bloc chief urges ‘real solutions'

Straits Times

timean hour ago

  • Straits Times

Xi says China, EU must deepen trust but bloc chief urges ‘real solutions'

Find out what's new on ST website and app. Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with European Council President Antonio Costa (left) and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (right) in Beijing on July 24. BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping said China and the EU must deepen trust in a turbulent world, but the bloc's chiefs called for 'real solutions' to move past an inflection point as they met in Beijing on July 24. China's leadership has sought to draw the European Union closer as it positions itself as a more reliable partner than the United States and a bedrock of stability in a troubled world. But the EU has made clear there are deep divisions over trade, fears that cheap, subsidised Chinese goods could overwhelm European markets and Beijing's tacit support for Russia's war against Ukraine. Though nominally intended to celebrate 50 years of diplomatic ties, the long list of grievances set the stage for a contentious summit. Welcoming EU Commission head Ursula von der Leyen and European Council chief Antonio Costa at Beijing's ornate Great Hall of the People, Mr Xi said 'the more severe and complex the international situation is, the more important it is for China and the EU to strengthen communication, increase mutual trust and deepen cooperation'. In the context of that turmoil, Mr Xi said, Chinese and European leaders must 'make correct strategic choices that meet the expectations of the people and stand the test of history'. 'The challenges facing Europe at present do not come from China,' he added. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia Live: Thailand, Cambodia clash with jets, rockets, artillery in deadly border row Asia 9 Thai civilians killed as Thai and Cambodian militaries clash at disputed border: Reports Singapore Boy, 15, charged after being caught with vapes 5 times; ordered to stay 2 years in S'pore Boys' Home Asia Vampire coach: Coercive blood sampling in school casts spotlight on Taiwan's 'obedient culture' Asia Half of KLIA Terminal 2 auto gates down with technical glitch, auto gates at other terminals unaffected Business MOM probing work injury claim flagged by late Sumo Salad boss Jane Lee: Dinesh Singapore What's key to a good life? Most Singapore residents choose emotional and mental well-being Singapore Over 2 years' jail for man who worked with wife to cheat her then boyfriend of $220k 'There are no fundamental conflicts of interest or geopolitical contradictions between China and the EU,' the Chinese leader said. In response, Dr von der Leyen said 'it is vital for China and Europe to acknowledge our respective concerns and come forward with real solutions'. Ties had reached an 'inflection point', she warned. Mr Costa also stressed to the Chinese leader that the bloc wanted to see 'concrete progress on issues related to trade and the economy, and we both want our relationship to be... mutually beneficial'. Brussels had acknowledged the talks between its top bosses and Chinese President Xi and Premier Li Qiang later on July 24 would be tense. 'We know that we don't see eye to eye with China on many issues,' a senior EU official told AFP last week. 'But we believe that it is essential to have this kind of very direct and open and constructive conversation sitting at the table at the highest level.' 'Not naive' Top of the agenda for the EU is the yawning trade deficit with China that stood at around US$360 billion (S$459.40 billion) in 2024 and which Dr von der Leyen has described as 'unsustainable'. Beijing has dismissed those concerns, insisting that Brussels must 'rebalance its mentality', not its economic ties with China. Brussels will also demand that China eases market access for European companies and loosens export controls on strategically crucial rare earths, von der Leyen has said. The EU has imposed hefty tariffs on electric vehicles imported from China, arguing that Beijing's industrial subsidies unfairly undercut European competitors. China has rebuffed that claim and announced what were widely seen as retaliatory probes into imported European pork, brandy and dairy products. A second key source of friction is Russia's war in Ukraine – Brussels says China's deepening political and economic relations with Russia since the 2022 invasion represent tacit support for Moscow that have helped its economy weather sweeping Western sanctions. Meeting Mr Xi on July 24, Mr Costa urged China to 'use its influence' on Russia to help end Moscow's 'war of aggression'. Last week, the bloc adopted a new package of sanctions on Russia over the war – including on two Chinese banks, leading Beijing's commerce minister to issue 'solemn representations' to his EU counterpart. 'This is a core issue for Europe,' the senior EU official said. 'We're not naive. We're not asking China to cut relations, but to step up the customs and financial controls.' AFP

Australian court rules women can sue over Qatar strip-search ordeal
Australian court rules women can sue over Qatar strip-search ordeal

Straits Times

time2 hours ago

  • Straits Times

Australian court rules women can sue over Qatar strip-search ordeal

Find out what's new on ST website and app. Australia's government cited the incident as a reason to block Qatar Airways from operating more flights into Australia. SYDNEY – A group of Australian women strip-searched after boarding a Qatar Airways flight in Doha won a court victory on July 24 that paves the way for them to sue the airline. In an incident that sparked international outrage, the Qatari authorities pulled women off 10 planes in Doha in 2020 and forced them to take invasive gynaecological exams. The authorities were hunting for the mother of a newborn found abandoned in an airport toilet. Five Australian women caught up in the ordeal lodged legal action against Qatar Airways, claiming they were assaulted and falsely imprisoned. Australia's Federal Court ruled in 2024 that they could not directly sue the airline. But that decision was reversed on appeal on July 24, with three Federal Court judges stating the case should be heard at trial. Australia's government cited the incident as a reason to block Qatar Airways from operating more flights into Australia. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia Live: Thailand, Cambodia clash with jets, rockets, artillery in deadly border row Asia 9 Thai civilians killed as Thai and Cambodian militaries clash at disputed border: Reports Singapore Boy, 15, charged after being caught with vapes 5 times; ordered to stay 2 years in S'pore Boys' Home Business MOM probing work injury claim flagged by late Sumo Salad boss Jane Lee: MOS Dinesh Business Marina Bay Sands sees record second quarter with revenue up 37% to $1.77 billion Singapore What's key to a good life? Most Singapore residents choose emotional and mental well-being Singapore Over 2 years' jail for man who worked with wife to cheat her then boyfriend of $220k Asia South Korea police raid offices of BTS' agency Hybe over share probe Qatar's then Prime Minister Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani offered his 'sincerest apologies for what some female travellers went through'. AFP

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store