Allowing First-timers to Buy HDB BTO and New Flats without Income Ceiling

40 Mr Gan Thiam Poh asked the Minister for National Development whether the Ministry can review the relevant policies to allow all first-timers to buy HDB BTO and new flats without any income ceiling.

Mr Lawrence Wong: The Housing and Development Board (HDB) is committed to helping Singaporeans, particularly first-timers and lower- to middle-income families, to own a home. The income ceiling helps to ensure that housing subsidies are given to those who need them most.

At the current income ceiling of $12,000, the majority of citizen households, or about eight in 10, are able to buy a subsidised flat. Households with a monthly income above $12,000 have other housing options. For example, those earning up to $14,000 may buy an Executive Condominium unit from property developers. There is no income ceiling restriction to buy a resale HDB flat on the open market.