Wednesday March 28, 2012
Singapore's HDB to launch 8,000 flats today


They are located in mature and non-mature estates and cover the full range of flat types

SINGAPORE: The Housing Board (HDB) will launch a bumper crop of 8,000 flats today through a joint build-to-order (BTO) and sale of balance flats exercise. The flats are located in mature and non-mature estates, such as in Bukit Timah, Bedok and Clementi, and cover the full range of flat types.

“With the wide range of flats offered, flat buyers will be able to apply for one that best meets their needs, and in an estate of their choice,” said National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan in his latest blog posting.

He expects strong demand for the completed/near completed flats and flats in mature estates. Those who wanted to have a better chance of success should widen their choice and consider applying for a BTO flat in the non-mature estates, he said.

The results of the launch will help HDB calibrate the BTO rules for future launches, to ensure that the policy objectives are met. “Our priority remains to help first-timers get their first HDB flat as quickly as possible, so that they can proceed to start their family,” he said.

Earlier this month, Khaw announced in parliament new measures to help various groups of home buyers.

They include tripling the BTO chance for second-timers in non-mature estates, enhancing the married child priority scheme and introducing a new multi-generation priority scheme to help married children live with or near their parents, as well as introducing an ageing-in-place priority scheme and a silver housing bonus scheme to help the elderly right-size and age in a familiar environment. - ANN/ST