Data on Appeals Outcomes of HDB Sellers Affected by Ethnic Integration Policy
Ministry of National DevelopmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the volume and outcomes of appeals by HDB owners struggling to sell flats under the Ethnic Integration Policy (EIP) in 2025. Member of Parliament Valerie Lee inquired about the success rates of these appeals and the usage of government buyback assistance for constrained sellers. Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat explained that HDB provides assistance through time extensions, EIP limit waivers, and buybacks as a last resort for genuine cases. He reported that HDB acceded to 208 out of 657 EIP-related appeals that year, including five buybacks, while maintaining the policy for racial harmony. The Minister added that approximately 100 acquired units would be progressively offered for sale through future balance and open booking of flats exercises.
Transcript
20 Ms Valerie Lee asked the Minister for National Development in 2025 (a) how many appeals were received by HDB dwellers who faced difficulties selling their flats due to the Ethnic Integration Policy; (b) what were the success rates of such appeals; and (c) what percentage of such cases went through the buyback assistance by the Government.
Mr Chee Hong Tat: The Ethnic Integration Policy (EIP) is important for Singapore's racial harmony and cohesion in a multicultural society. The Housing and Development Board (HDB) provides a range of assistance measures for flat owners who face genuine difficulties selling their flats when EIP quotas have been reached. These include giving such owners more time to sell their existing flat if they have purchased another one, or in exceptional circumstances, waiving the EIP limits to allow them to sell their flat to buyers of any ethnic group. As a last resort, HDB may also buy back flats from eligible EIP-constrained flat owners if they have tried their best to sell their flat, but are unable to do so.
In 2025, HDB received 657 EIP-related appeals from flat owners. HDB acceded to 208 appeals, including helping five households via the buyback measure. The breakdown by ethnic group is in the table below.
As of 31 December 2025, HDB owns about 100 units that were bought back via the EIP buyback assistance measure or compulsorily acquired by HDB for other reasons. These units will be offered for sale progressively under the Sale of Balance Flats exercise and open booking of flats.