Category Archives: HDB

Singles over 35 can now buy new HDB flats

Posted on 30 Jul 2013 | Comments Off on Singles over 35 can now buy new HDB flats

Up to 30% of new BTO two-room flats kept aside for eligible singles earning S$5,000 and under a month.

Singles over 35 years of age and who meet certain criteria can buy new flats directly from the HDB as of today (July 30).

The Housing and Development Board (HDB) has launched nearly 4,000 for sale under the July Build-to-Order (BTO) exercise in Bukit Merah, Sengkang and Yishun. The flats, ranging from studio apartments to five-room flats, are being offered to meet diverse housing needs, the HDB said in a statement today.

A total of 519 new two-room flats in Sengkang and Yishun will be offered in this BTO exercise, comprising 301 units in new BTO projects, and another 218 units from previous BTO exercises.

First-timer singles will enjoy up to 30 per cent of the two-room flat supply in these non-mature estates. Eligible singles must be at least 35 and earn S$5,000 or less a month.

Singles who apply for these flats under the Joint Singles Scheme (JJS) will pay the same BTO price as married couples. However, singles who apply under the Single Singapore Citizen Scheme (SSC) will pay S$15,000 more than married couples.

Singles who later marry will receive the CPF Housing Top-Up Grant of S$15,000 after marriage.

This is similar to existing schemes for singles, who are eligible for a total of S$30,000 in CPF Housing Grants under the JSS and S$15,000 under the SSC.

Previously, singles aged 35 and above could only buy resale flats of any size and in any location. Those earning a monthly salary of S$5,000 or less and buying a 5-room or smaller resale flat, get a CPF housing grant of S$15,000.

This new housing policy was promised by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in last year’s National Day Rally and confirmed in Parliament by National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan.

Today – 30 Jul 2013

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HDB to study if temporary rental housing scheme for married couples can be adjusted

Posted on 5 Jul 2013 | Comments Off on HDB to study if temporary rental housing scheme for married couples can be adjusted

The Housing and Development Board (HDB) said it will assess the need to adjust the temporary rental housing scheme to help even more married couples.

For the 1,150 flats made available under this scheme, it has so far received applications for 554.

The scheme was launched in January to help married couples waiting for their new Build-To-Order flat to be completed.

41-year-old Jeremy Pher used to pay more than S$2,300 to rent a flat in the open market.

With HDB’s new Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS), he now pays S$1,200 to rent a four-room flat directly from the HDB.

He is one of about 140 applicants who have moved in, or are in the process of moving in, to temporary rental housing units.

As not all of the units are occupied yet, Mr Pher said there are some perks and drawbacks of a quieter block.

He said: “At the moment yes, there’s plenty of car park space for me. I can choose my lot anytime. For me, I don’t think there’s a big problem because Singapore is safe. Right now I do not have a neighbour opposite me, so I just got to take a little bit more extra precaution in terms of safety that I need to just lock up my door and probably close the main door. ”

Other residents Channel NewsAsia spoke to had mixed views.

Flats under the scheme are located in mature estates, like Bedok, Jurong West, Queenstown and Ang Mo Kio.

They have primarily been vacated under the Selective En-Bloc Redevelopment Scheme.

HDB said with flats located in mature estates with amenities, this should go some way in ensuring safety.

Senior Estate Manager of the Housing Management Group at HDB Justina Tan said: “We are not chasing after numbers. The objective of PPHS is to provide an additional housing option for first-timer married couples who need temporary housing while they’re waiting for their new HDB flats to be completed. We are not too worried, or too concerned about the safety issues. We are also working with the relevant authorities to make sure there are safety measures in place.”

More applicants will be able to select their flats in July and August.

Source – CNA – 5 Jul 2013

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