Data on HDB Flat Application Status Following Death of Sole Citizen Parent Over Past Five Years and Appeal Mechanisms Available

60 Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat asked the Minister for National Development (a) over the past five years, how many HDB flat applications involving a minor Singaporean child were cancelled after the death of the sole citizen parent with a breakdown down by (i) before unit selection, (ii) after selection but before key collection and (iii) after key collection; and (b) what compassionate appeal mechanism exists for the surviving Permanent Resident parent.

Mr Chee Hong Tat: The Housing and Development Board (HDB) takes a compassionate approach towards changes in family structure due to the demise of a parent. A key consideration is the welfare of any surviving minor Singapore Citizen (SC) child or children. If this takes place after key collection, a surviving Singapore Permanent Resident parent is eligible to retain the flat with his/her SC child.

For all other cases, HDB will assess how to best assist the family on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration the specific circumstances of each family. This could involve allowing the flat to be held in trust by a trustee, on the condition that the flat be transferred to the SC child when he or she reaches 21 years old.

The data that the Member requested for is not available, as HDB does not track "death of a sole SC parent" as one of the reasons for flat cancellation.