Consent for Couples with Minor Children Undergoing Divorce to List Them in Respective Applications for HDB Flat
Ministry of Social and Family DevelopmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang’s proposal to require divorcing couples to state their consent for listing minor children in HDB applications within their matrimonial property plans. Minister Masagos Zulkifli B M M replied that this plan is unsuitable as its purpose is asset division, and future HDB applications are difficult to plan for before outcomes are determined. He explained that parents with shared care and control must reach an agreement before listing a child in an application, as an individual can only be listed once. However, HDB exercises case-by-case flexibility to waive the requirement for an ex-spouse’s consent to ensure the child has stable housing. Parents requiring further support can approach HDB, the Strengthening Families Programme @ Family Service Centre, or Divorce Support Specialist Agencies.
Transcript
23 Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Social and Family Development whether the Ministry will work with the Ministry of Law and the Ministry of National Development to consider requiring couples with minor children undergoing divorce to state in the matrimonial property plan whether there is consent to both parties listing minor children in their respective applications for an HDB flat and, if there is no consent, the reasons for withholding consent.
Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: The matrimonial property plan is not the appropriate avenue to require divorcing parents to state whether they are giving consent for their children to be listed in prospective applications for a Housing and Development Board (HDB) flat. The key objective of the matrimonial property plan is to set out the parties' agreement or proposals as to the way in which matrimonial assets are to be divided. It is unlikely that parties will be able to plan for future HDB applications at the stage of filing the matrimonial property plan, as outcomes regarding the division of matrimonial assets have not yet been determined.
We encourage couples with minor children undergoing divorce to work together on their arrangements concerning the care of their children. As each individual is only allowed to be listed in one HDB flat application, we require divorced parents who have shared care and control of their children, to come to an agreement before either party lists their child in a flat application.
We recognise that there may be cases where parents are unable to reach an agreement despite their best efforts. In such cases, they can approach HDB to discuss their options. On a case-by-case basis, HDB is prepared to exercise flexibility by waiving the requirement for an ex-spouse's consent, in the interest of ensuring that the child has a stable housing arrangement. Parents who require further support may also approach the Strengthening Families Programme @ Family Service Centre (FAM@FSCs) or the Divorce Support Specialist Agencies (DSSAs).