Flats Re-acquired by HDB Due to Regulatory Infringements and Support for Affected Owners

45 Dr Syed Harun Alhabsyi asked the Minister for National Development (a) since 2019, what proportion of flats re-acquired by HDB due to regulatory infringements belonged to owners whose sole properties are the re-acquired HDB flats; and (b) what steps are taken to ensure that such owners can still find a home subsequently.

Mr Desmond Lee: Between January 2019 and June 2024, 104 flats were compulsorily acquired for lease infringements. Of these, 84 were for serious infringements, such as unauthorised whole flat rental, non-occupation and purchase of private properties during the Minimum Occupation Period (MOP). The remainder were largely due to loss of Housing and Development Board (HDB) eligibility status (e.g. change in citizenship or false declaration in flat application).

The vast majority (88%) of the 104 cases involved owners whose sole properties were the acquired flat. However, most of these ex-owners had already been living elsewhere prior to the compulsory acquisition. In many cases, this was what had led to the infringement in the first place. For these ex-owners, the compulsory acquisition did not affect their living arrangements.

For the small minority of ex-owners with pressing housing needs following the compulsory acquisition, HDB assisted them with housing options, including facilitating the purchase of another flat or allocation of a public rental flat.