HDB launches 4,089 flats for sale, first batch under new measures to support first-time buyers

SINGAPORE — The Housing and Development Board (HDB) launched 4,089 flats for sale on Wednesday (Sept 11).

This is the first batch of flats to come under the higher income ceilings and enhanced CPF housing grant announced by National Development Minister Lawrence Wong on Tuesday. The measures are aimed at making public housing more affordable for first-time buyers.

The units on offer consist of 3,373 Build-To-Order (BTO) flats and 716 Re-Offer of Balance (ROF) flats.

The BTO flats are spread across three projects in Punggol and Tampines, namely Punggol Point Cove, Punggol Point Crown and Tampines GreenGlen. The types of flats available range from two-room flexi to five-room units, HDB said.

For example, a two-room flexi flat in Punggol Point Cove could cost as little as S$29,000 after factoring in the new grant.

Families who are buying a HDB flat for the first time will continue to be prioritised in flat allocation, said HDB.

Applicants who want to live close to their parents or married children in the same Punggol BTO projects can apply under the Multi-Generation Priority Scheme, HDB added.

Read also

• HDB to roll out housing grant with higher income ceiling, no restriction on flat type and location

Mr Ismail Gafoor, chief executive officer of PropNex Realty, anticipated that the Tampines GreenGlen project would be extremely popular among prospective buyers due to its good location.

“We foresee that the strategically located Tampines GreenGlen, with 649 available units, are likely to exceed eight times subscription rates for this sales exercise.” 

Mr Gafoor also predicted that there would be high demand for the “bigger-sized units” in Punggol and Tampines. The five-room units could even attract “double-digit subscription” due to their “popularity and affordability,” he added.

As for the ROF flats, at least 95 per cent of the 716 available units will be set aside for families who are first-time buyers, with the remaining flats going to second-timers.

Join our Telegram channel to get TODAY's top stories on mobile:

*TODAY's WhatApp news service will cease from November 2019.

The ROF flats consist of 268 two-room flexi flats, 202 three-room flats, 90 four-room flats, 49 five-room flats, 104 3Gen flats, and three Executive flats spread across various towns and estates.

About 12 per cent of the ROF flats have been completed, while the rest are still under construction, HDB said.

Interested buyers may submit their applications online from Sept 11 to 17.

HDB said that its next BTO launch will take place in November, with around 4,500 flats in Ang Mo Kio, Tampines and Tengah on offer.

Following that, around 3,000 BTO flats in Sembawang and Toa Payoh will be offered in February next year.