Appeal Outcomes and Potential Policy Refinements to Downsizing Exemption for Seniors

29 Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat asked the Minister for National Development since introducing the 15-month wait-out exemption for seniors above 55 downsizing from private property to 4-room or smaller resale flats (a) how many appeals have been received from senior households seeking 5-room flats; (b) how many appeals have been approved; (c) what is the policy rationale for capping at 4-room flats; and (d) whether HDB will calibrate rules by household size or caregiving needs.

Mr Chee Hong Tat: The 15-month wait-out period for private property owners was introduced as a temporary measure to moderate demand for the Housing and Development Board (HDB) resale flats and prioritise access to public housing for Singaporeans with more urgent housing needs, such as first-time home buyers.

Some seniors may wish to move from their private property to an HDB flat to strengthen their retirement adequacy. To support them, seniors aged 55 and above purchasing 4-room or smaller flats are exempted from this wait-out period. Seniors seeking to buy 5-room or bigger resale flats can approach HDB for assistance. HDB will continue to consider these appeals on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration extenuating circumstances, such as household size and medical needs.

As the Ministry of National Development mentioned previously, we are monitoring the market and when conditions allow, we intend to remove the 15-month wait-out period requirement.