Appeals by Foreign Spouses of Singaporeans to Purchase BTO HDB Flats

20 Mr Foo Cexiang asked the Minister for National Development (a) in the past three years whether HDB has received appeals by Singapore-foreigner spouses for permission to purchase BTO HDB flats other than BTO 2-room Flexi flats; and (b) if so, how many of these appeals were successful.

Mr Chee Hong Tat: Singaporeans with non-resident spouses who have a Singaporean or Singapore Permanent Resident (SPR) child are treated as Singaporean families for the purposes of access to Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats. They can purchase flats of any size from HDB, subject to other eligibility conditions.

Singaporeans with non-resident spouses and no Singaporean or SPR child can purchase a 2-room Flexi flat from HDB, if the Singaporean is a first-timer aged 35 and above. From 2023 to 2025, HDB received 16 appeals from such couples to purchase flats other than 2-room Flexi flats from HDB. HDB did not accede to these appeals because the appellants had alternative housing options.