3,330 singles have received keys to new BTO flats: HDB

SINGAPORE – Over 12,000 singles have applied for new 2-room flats in non-mature estates since rules were relaxed in 2013 to allow them to do so, the Housing and Development Board (HDB) said on Saturday (March 3), adding that more than a quarter of them have collected keys to their new homes.

Prior to 2013, those who are not married can buy flats only on the resale market. This rule was eased as part of the Government's efforts to provide an additional housing option for singles.

A HDB spokesman said that since the July 2013 Build-to-Order (BTO) exercise, about 12,200 singles aged 35-years and above have booked the new 2-room flats.

Of these, 3,330 have collected the keys to their new homes as at end January 2018.

The remaining applicants are waiting for their new flats to be completed, the spokesman said.

"Over the last four years, the flat supply for 2-room flats in non-mature estates has remained steady at an average of about 4,000 units per year," she added.

The steady supply of new 2-room flats also means that the application rates for singles have come down from a high of 57.5 applicants to one flat in the first exercise in 2013, to about 5.9 in 2017.

"HDB will continue to monitor the demand and calibrate its supply of 2-room flats to meet the housing needs of this group," said the spokesman.

Eligible first-timer singles who buy a flat from HDB can enjoy up to S$40,000 of housing grants, comprising the Additional CPF Housing Grant (AHG) – capped at S$20,000 – and the Special CPF Housing Grant (SHG) which is capped at a similar amount.

HDB said that between July 2013 and January 2018, some 8,500 singles who applied for the new 2-room flats benefitted from these grants.

It added that there are also various housing grants for singles who prefer to buy flats in matured estates from the resale market.

Eligible first-timer singles who buy a resale flat from the open market can enjoy up to S$60,000 of housing grants, comprising the Singles Grant (up to S$25,000), AHG (up to S$20,000) and Proximity Housing Grant.

As announced during Budget 2018, singles who buy a resale flat to live with their parents may now benefit from a PHG of $15,000 (up from S$10,000), and singles who buy a resale flat near their parents (within 4km) may now benefit from a PHG of S$10,000.