The number of people living in HDB flats has increased. According to HDB's latest Sample Household Survey, the number of Singaporeans and PRs who are flat dwellers, increased 2.7 per cent over 5 years to 2.92 million in 2008. This figure made up 96 per cent of the total population in HDB flats.The remaining 4 per cent were foreigners, which includes maids and tenants. The average HDB dweller is also now...
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High cash-over-valuation (COV) prices paid by Housing and Development Board flat buyers are a concern, acknowledged National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan, as they make resale flats less accessible to buyers who need flats urgently. But the way to deal with the situation "is not to manage or fix COVs", he feels, as "the underlying cause is high demand, caused by excess liquidity and market sentiments,...
The Housing and Development Board (HDB) has launched two more Build-To-Order (BTO) projects. Punggol Crest in Punggol and Treegrove@Woodlands will offer some 1,500 units. Punggol Crest comprises 750 standard flats, and Treegrove@Woodlands will offer 784 premium flats. HDB said most of the flats would be set aside for first-timers. The selling prices for the flats range from S$90,000 for a two-room flat...
MP Sin Boon Ann has assured some Tampines residents, who were unhappy that HDB rental flats will be built right in front of their block, that the quality of their estate will not be hurt nor the peace be disturbed. The MP for Tampines GRC will work with the HDB and residents to debunk the perception that rental flats are old, dirty and bad for image of the estate. A block of rental flats will soon be...
Singapore's housing authority said Permanent Residents may soon be subjected to a similar ethnic integration policy already imposed on citizens who buy public flats. Observers say the move is reflective of Singapore's changing demographics, where about a third of the population are foreigners. But there's already a racial quota for PRs in the purchase of public housing. A shopping centre in Boon Lay in...
The Housing and Development Board (HDB) is reviewing its rules to curb speculation and illegal subletting in the public housing market. National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan said the move is to ensure prices are not being artificially inflated. The review comes amid fresh concerns over the affordability of public housing sparked off by HDB's latest data that showed resale flat prices continued to...
Plans are underway to turn Punggol into Singapore's first eco-town as part of the sustainable development blueprint. The aim is that over the next five years, energy consumption in public areas will go down by up to 30 percent while energy use in households is targeted to decrease by 10 percent. HDB said that as a new town, Punggol is perfect as a test bed for green technologies. These include facilities...
Singapore's National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan said public housing in the 21st century must evolve to meet changing needs. But the core mission of the HDB remains unchanged - that of providing Singaporeans with affordable quality homes and building cohesive communities. Speaking at the International Housing Conference in Singapore, Mr Mah noted the HDB will face increasing challenges due to...
The Housing & Development Board (HDB) is considering imposing a quota on Permanent Residents buying resale HDB flats. This could be done in the same way that racial quotas are imposed to prevent ethnic enclaves. The issue came up in a dialogue session on public housing with Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew where questions on affordability and aspirations were brought up. Public housing has come a long...
Is there a role for Singapore's Housing and Development Board (HDB), now that the entire population has been housed? Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the answer is "Yes" as the HDB is still responsible for providing good public housing and fostering social integration. Speaking at its 50th anniversary, Mr Lee also revealed the board will celebrate half a century of achievements by building its one...