THE Housing Board’s Build-to-Order (BTO) system was introduced in 2002 to replace the Walk-in Selection (WIS) system in order to prevent another repeat of the more than 30,000 unsold units in 1997.
While BTO is the right approach as it reflects real demand, replacing the queue system with the current balloting system is not. We have cases where people are unsuccessful at the ballot even after many tries, while those who are successful reject their offers because they do not get the unit they fancy.
These undesirable side-effects of balloting can be eliminated if HDB were to revert to the queue system while retaining the BTO system. When a new BTO is launched, applicants would be invited to select a unit with priority given to those at the front of the queue.
Those who reject an offer would have to join the back of the queue and their place can be offered to other applicants in line. When the BTO has enough applicants, the project can go ahead.
This combination BTO-queue system is fairer as it gives priority to those genuine about getting a unit. It is also faster as it does away with the need to conduct a balloting exercise before the applicants are called up to book a unit.
Source : Today – 4 Jun 2011
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