Latest news with #BuildToOrder
CNA
8 hours ago
- Business
- CNA
Pick Network adding 150 parcel lockers across Singapore by March 2026
Parcel locker service Pick Network is adding 150 new lockers across Singapore by March 2026 — one year ahead of schedule. 81 have already been installed in Build-to-Order projects and high-demand areas. Pick Network has also partnered with e-commerce giant Taobao to allow the return of its packages at the lockers from September. It is now working with e-commerce platforms to plan for multiple deliveries for lockers throughout the day. Ivy Chok reports.
CNA
a day ago
- Business
- CNA
More than 2,600 Prime flats on offer in latest BTO exercise
More than 2,600 Prime flats are offered in HDB's latest Build-to-Order exercise. This is the biggest supply of Prime flats since classification started last October. Analysts say this could mean a better chance for buyers to get their flats, but they will need to be aware of the obligations that come with them.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
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
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 to claim their vouchers. They will be required to log in with their Singpass account before receiving a link via SMS from SenderID ' 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 to claim their vouchers. They will be required to log in with their Singpass account before receiving a link via SMS from SenderID ' 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.
CNA
5 days ago
- Business
- CNA
Some two-room BTO flats to be set aside for first-time singles who want to live near parents
SINGAPORE: The Housing and Development Board (HDB) on Sunday (Jul 20) announced the quota for Build-to-Order (BTO) two-room flats that will be set aside for first-time singles who are applying for a flat near their parents. The new Family Care Scheme (FCS), which was first announced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in the National Day Rally last year, comprises two components: FCS (Proximity) and FCS (Joint Balloting). PROXIMITY FCS (Proximity) allows parents and their children, regardless of marital status, priority access if they are applying for a new flat to live with or near each other. This will be rolled out in the July BTO exercise. Currently, up to 65 per cent of two-room flexi BTO flats and up to 5 per cent of Sale of Balance flats (SBF) are set aside for first-timer singles, after allocating flats to seniors. Within these quotas, 30 per cent of BTO flats and 2 per cent of SBF flats will be set aside for first-time singles applying under FCS (Proximity). This applies to Standard and Plus flats. For Prime flats, the percentages drop to 20 per cent and 1 per cent, respectively. The remaining quota will be for other first-time singles. Married couples and seniors currently have priority access under the Married Child Priority Scheme and Senior Priority Scheme when applying for new flats to live with or near their parents or married children. FCS (Proximity) will replace both of these schemes, with no change to the priority access for married couples and seniors. JOINT BALLOTING FCS (Joint Balloting) allows parents and their children, regardless of marital status, to jointly apply for two units in the same BTO project, where there are two-room flexi or three-room flats in the same project. This will start in the October BTO exercise, HDB said on Sunday. It will replace the Multi-Generation Priority Scheme for married children and parents to live near each other in the same BTO project. CHANGES FROM JULY Other changes that will start from the July BTO exercise have been announced previously. This includes HDB increasing the allocation quota of three-room and larger BTO flats for second-timer families by 5 percentage points. The revised proportion of BTO flats set aside for second-timer families: Up to 20 per cent of three-room Standard flats Up to 10 per cent of three-room plus and prime flats, and four-room and larger standard, plus and prime flats At least 80 per cent to 90 per cent of three-room and larger flats will continue to be set aside for first-time families. Changes to the Deferred Income Assessment (DIA) scheme and the Fresh Start Housing Grant for eligible second-time families will also take effect from the July BTO exercise. The DIA scheme allows eligible couples to apply for a new flat and delay their income assessment for housing grants or loans until just before they collect their keys. This will be expanded such that only one party in a couple needs to be a full-time student or national serviceman to be eligible. Previously, both parties needed to meet this requirement. The Fresh Start Housing Grant will be increased from S$50,000 to S$75,000 to support more second-timer public rental households with children to own homes. These families can use the increased grant to buy a new two-room flexi or three-room Standard BTO, or SBF flat, on a shorter lease.
CNA
01-07-2025
- Business
- CNA
HDB resale prices up 0.9% in Q2, lowest quarter-on-quarter growth since 2020
Analysts said property buyers can expect resale public housing flats in Singapore to be priced more attractively. This follows the lowest quarter-on-quarter growth for resale flat prices since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Resale flat prices slowed for the third straight quarter to jump 0.9% in Q2 2025. About 5,500 Build-to-Order flats will be launched this month, together with 3,000 Sale of Balance Flats. This supply, coupled with global economic uncertainties, is likely to keep resale market prices from surging in the coming months. Eugene Chow reports.
