Connect with us

Housing

22,000 households await BTO key collection: COVID-19 delays continue, interim solutions offered

Amid the ongoing COVID-19 delays, 22,000 households remain affected by incomplete BTO projects. While HDB is expediting the completion of these projects, interim housing solutions and reimbursements have been arranged to alleviate the inconvenience caused to these Singaporean families.

Published

1 year ago

on

SINGAPORE: Of the total 71,000 households affected by delays in the Built-to-Order (BTO) projects, 22,000 are still awaiting the completion of their homes, with key collection expected by Q1 2025.

The Minister for National Development, Mr. Desmond Lee, provided these figures in response to an oral question from Mr Yip Hon Weng, MP for Yio Chu Kang SMC, about the 28% of Housing Development Board’s (HDB) BTO projects that are still under construction due to COVID-19 delays.

Mr Yip sought details about the number of affected residents, available interim housing options, and the reimbursement sums for these delays.

In his written reply on Wednesday (2 Aug), Mr Lee revealed that HDB has managed to complete 72% of the delayed BTO projects, enabling approximately 49,000 households to either collect or be invited to collect their keys.

HDB, cognizant of the anxieties and concerns of affected residents, assured that efforts are underway to expedite these delayed projects without compromising on safety or quality.

Eligible flat buyers in immediate need of accommodation can apply for interim housing under the Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS). For low-income households without family support or other housing options, HDB will consider the possibility of offering Interim Rental Housing (IRH) on a case-by-case basis.

Addressing the issue of reimbursement, Mr Lee referred to Part 8C of the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act. HDB is offering monetary reimbursement to households experiencing delays beyond the originally promised Delivery Possession Dates (DPD).

To alleviate inconvenience, affected flat buyers will be paid the maximum sum they are eligible for, without the need to submit any claims or proof of the costs incurred.

Mr Lee reiterated HDB’s commitment to working closely with contractors to address BTO project delays, promising to deliver homes to Singaporeans in a timely manner without sacrificing safety or quality.

The Waterway Sunrise II project in Punggol, launched in February 2017 and originally slated for completion by mid-2021, serves as a significant example of the delayed BTO projects.

HDB had set the DPD, the legal deadline for delivering possession of the flat, between March and June 2022. However, the project encountered multiple setbacks, including the failure of its original contractor, Lian Ho Lee Construction, and subsequent manpower shortages and supply disruptions caused by the pandemic.

The Waterway Sunrise II project, along with Anchorvale Village in Sengkang, has been among the most severely affected, with delays exceeding one year.

Crossing the DPD obligates HDB to compensate the affected flat buyers. In total, nearly 900 households who had booked their flat in the Waterway Sunrise II project by October 2021 are now eligible for reimbursement, an amount that HDB estimates will total S$5.1 million.

The reimbursement process is typically complex, with flat buyers generally required to submit proof of out-of-pocket qualifying expenses. However, to minimize inconvenience, HDB will pay the maximum eligible reimbursement sum to all Waterway Sunrise II flat buyers without requiring them to submit any claims or proof of expenses.

Flat buyers who have completed their purchases and accepted the settlement agreement can expect to receive their reimbursements within two months. The agreement stipulates the exact reimbursement sum each flat buyer is entitled to, based on the actual delay period and the selling price of the booked flat.

As of March 2023, the first four completed blocks have already seen their buyers reimbursed. For all seven blocks of the project, the estimated reimbursement per flat ranges from S$1,000 to S$10,500, with an average sum of S$5,750. In total, HDB estimates the reimbursement for all 896 households to be approximately S$5,156,700.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment
Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Housing

Bukit Panjang makes history with first-ever million-dollar resale flat

In September, a Bukit Panjang HDB executive resale flat achieved a historic milestone, selling for $1.02 million, the first in the estate to breach the million-dollar mark.

As per SRI, 2023 has seen 322 million-dollar HDB resale deals to date, compared to 369 in 2022.

Published

12 months ago

on

25 September 2023

By

SINGAPORE: The serene residential enclave of Bukit Panjang has witnessed its first-ever million-dollar Housing and Development Board (HDB) flat sale, sending shockwaves through the local real estate market.

The record-breaking transaction occurred in September when a spacious 127 square meter (1,367 square feet) executive apartment, situated on levels 28 to 38 of Block 181 Jelebu Road, changed hands for a staggering $1.02 million, equating to a price per square foot (psf) of $746.

As per Singapore Realtors Inc (SRI), this highly coveted flat boasts a prime location nestled between the 28th and 30th floors of Block 181, a well-established development along Jelebu Road, completed in 2003.

Block 181 is renowned for its diverse mix of four-room, five-room, and executive flats.

The flat’s lease commenced in 2003, making the development approximately 20 years old.

SRI highlighted that Bukit Panjang has faced a scarcity of Build-to-Order (BTO) projects in recent years, with the last BTO launch dating back to 2016.

Consequently, resale properties within this sought-after enclave of Bukit Panjang have become a preferred choice among homebuyers seeking a place to call their own.

The strategic positioning of this development further enhances its appeal, offering close proximity to key amenities such as the Bukit Panjang MRT station on the downtown line (approximately 148 meters away), the bustling Hillion Mall, and the Bukit Panjang Integrated Transport Hub, just a short 5-minute walk away.

This enviable accessibility to public transportation and shopping centers positions this resale flat as an attractive and practical option for those seeking a convenient and comfortable living experience in Bukit Panjang.

A range of schools is conveniently located within a 1 to 2-kilometer radius of the HDB resale flat, including West View Primary School, Zhenghua Primary School, Greenridge Primary School, Bukit Panjang Primary School, Chua Chu Kang Secondary School, and West Spring Secondary School.

322 Million-Dollar deals to date

According to SRI, to date, a total of 322 million-dollar HDB resale deals have transpired within the first nine months of 2023, in contrast to the 369 million-dollar deals recorded in 2022.

Over the past few years, numerous residential estates across the island have borne witness to the phenomenon of million-dollar transactions, with notable exceptions being Choa Chu Kang, Jurong West, Sembawang, and Sengkang.

Singapore in August this year witnessed a significant surge in the resale market for HDB flats, a total of 54 HDB resale flats were transacted for at least $1,000,000, marking a notable increase compared to July 2023, which saw 32 such transactions, and June of the same year, with 34 million-dollar flat sales.

This is also the highest volume of resale flats transacted for at least $1 million to date, according to data from the Singapore Real Estate Exchange (SRX) issued on September.

Continue Reading

Housing

Singapore’s new 10-year Minimum Occupation Period for HDB Plus flats balances homeownership and flexibility, says Desmond Lee

Desmond Lee, Minister for National Development highlights the 10-year Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) for new HDB Plus flats, emphasizing its role in balancing owner occupation commitment and homeowner flexibility.

Additionally, BTO projects’ future categorization focuses on locational attributes, not estate maturity.

Published

1 year ago

on

18 September 2023

By

SINGAPORE: The 10-year Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) for new Housing Board (HDB) Plus flats aims to strike a delicate balance between bolstering the commitment to owner occupation and offering homeowners the flexibility to move for genuine reasons, said Minister for National Development Desmond Lee.

“We think that a MOP of 10 years seeks to strike a balance between strengthening the intent for owner occupation on the one hand, and giving home owners the flexibility of moving home for genuine reasons.”

In his address to Parliament on Monday (18 Sept), Minister Lee emphasized that the introduction of a 10-year MOP for HDB Plus flats represents a key component of their broader housing policy, aligning with the overarching goal of making homeownership accessible while maintaining social and economic stability.

Prime and Plus flats to have an extended 10-year MOP

The Minimum Occupation Period is a critical requirement for HDB flats, governing the period during which homeowners are restricted from selling or renting out their properties.

Historically, most HDB flats have had a 5-year MOP.

In Oct 2021, HDB introduced a new Prime Location Public Housing scheme (PLH) with an unprecedented MOP of 10 years, double the duration of regular Build-to-Order (BTO) flats.

The PLH model aims to keep future HDB flats in prime, central locations affordable and inclusive.

Starting in the latter half of 2024, Build-to-Order (BTO) projects will no longer be categorized based on whether they are located in mature or non-mature estates. Instead, they will be offered in three distinct models: Standard, Plus, or Prime.

Strickter regulations for Plus and Prime flats

Under this new housing framework, Standard flats represent public housing units spread throughout Singapore, featuring HDB’s standard subsidies and restrictions, including a MOP of five years.

Plus flats, on the other hand, occupy more desirable locations within a region and come with increased subsidies and stricter restrictions compared to Standard flats.

Prime flats are situated in the most coveted and central areas of Singapore and boast the highest subsidies and tightest restrictions.

Both Plus and Prime flats impose a 10-year MOP and an income ceiling at the time of resale.

“This new framework reflects the government’s commitment to achieve affordable home ownership, a good social mix and a fair system,” said Mr Lee.

Additionally, initial owners will face a clawback of the extra subsidies provided by the government, and they are prohibited from renting out their entire flat at any time.

Minister Lee emphasized that these measures are designed to ensure these flats are primarily used for owner occupation and not for speculative investments or rental income.

In response to questions raised by four Members of Parliament regarding the reclassification of HDB flats, particularly the categorization of BTO flats in choice locations under the Prime and Plus categories with stricter resale conditions, Minister Lee explained that the Ministry of National Development (MND) has been actively engaging with citizens and considering various suggestions.

Minister rejects rigid price caps idea, prefers additional subsidies to ensure fairness in housing market

A suggestion by Jurong MP Xie Yao Quan proposed a rigid price cap for Prime and Plus flats, but Minister Lee deemed this approach can be “distortionary” as prices may then not fully reflect the attributes of the flats.

“Instead, we will provide additional subsidies on top of these significant market discounts already provided for standard flats.”

Furthermore, the MND provides progressive grants to assist eligible first-time homebuyers, providing extra support to those in need.

When addressing inquiries about how the new framework promotes social diversity in HDB estates, Minister Lee emphasized that Prime and Plus projects will offer a diverse range of flat types to cater to various budgets and needs of Singaporeans.

To ensure inclusivity in neighbourhoods, the MND will continue to construct rental flats within integrated blocks wherever possible, including future Prime and Plus projects.

Minister Lee cited the example of River Peaks I, the inaugural Prime Location Public Housing project launched in November 2021.

“Some have asked if this new framework might cause our society to stratify further. In fact, on the contrary, this new framework seeks to achieve quite the opposite.”

“Without the new framework, flats in choice locations will likely become more expensive and out of reach for many Singaporeans over time,” said Mr Lee.

Minister Lee also highlighted that first-time homebuyers can benefit from the Enhanced CPF Housing Grant, a means-tested grant that provides up to $80,000 in grants for families and $40,000 for singles.

Leader of the Opposition seeks clarification on fiscal impact of New HDB BTO flat classification system

Notably, Pritam Singh, Leader of the Opposition also filed a question to ask the Minister what is the anticipated fiscal impact arising from additional taxpayer subsidies extended to Prime and Plus HDB flats under the new HDB BTO flat classification system.

In response, Mr Lee said the total fiscal impact is anticipated to be higher than if we keep to the status quo.

“The actual anticipated fiscal impact will depend on a number of factors, including market conditions at each launch, housing demand, the locational attributes of the sites and more.”

He said in deciding which model to launch new flats under, the government take into account various factors such as their specific locational attributes, affordability for buyers and the need to provide a range of different options for Singaporeans.

“We will continue to set aside the vast majority of our new flat supply for first time our families.”

Enhanced ballot chances and priority schemes for first-time families

According to Minister Lee, Under the new framework across all BTO projects, first timer families will receive 2 ballot chances.

And 1st timer, parents and married couples, or what we call the “FTPMC”, will receive 3 ballot chances and additional priority under the Family and Parenthood Priority Scheme.

More details on the specific prioritization and quotas for different groups will be announced when ready, said Mr Lee.

Single to purchase new two-room flexi BTO Flats

In response to the housing needs of singles and the elderly, Minister Lee announced the introduction of new housing options, including the availability of two-room flexi BTO flats for singles in standard, Plus, or prime projects starting in the latter half of 2024.

To meet the increasing demand, the Housing and Development Board (HDB) will launch up to 14,000 two-room flexi flats over the next three years, representing a substantial 30% increase compared to the preceding three years.

Despite delays attributed to COVID-19, the government is committed to reducing the median waiting time from 4 to 4.5 years to three to four years by the following year

“Our priority now is to build enough flats over the next few years to address this demand before we decide whether to make any further changes.”

Minister Lee also highlighted ongoing efforts to engage with singles regarding their housing preferences, including innovative housing typologies like co-living and intergenerational housing, which are currently under active consideration.

Continue Reading

Trending