Help for Senior Citizens to Apply for BTO Flats
Ministry of National DevelopmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns HDB housing assistance for senior citizens and statistics regarding their success in applying for BTO and Sale of Balance Flats. Mr Christopher de Souza and Miss Cheryl Chan Wei Ling inquired about support for second-timers and those with limited financial means. Minister for National Development Desmond Lee stated that at least 40% of 2-room Flexi flats are reserved for seniors, with 80% of 2022 senior applicants having enjoyed prior subsidies. He noted that 30% of applicants were unsuccessful, mainly in high-demand exercises, and highlighted financial aids like the Silver Housing Bonus and deferred downpayments. To support aging-in-place, HDB provides Community Care Apartments and priority schemes for seniors wishing to live near or with their families.
Transcript
21 Mr Christopher de Souza asked the Minister for National Development how HDB is helping senior citizens apply for BTO flats as second-timers so as to find a flat more suitable to their needs.
22 Mr Christopher de Souza asked the Minister for National Development how HDB is helping senior citizens who do not have the financial means to afford resale flats, to secure a BTO flat.
23 Miss Cheryl Chan Wei Ling asked the Minister for National Development for seniors aged 65 and above who applied for 2-room flexi flats in HDB's Build-To-Order and Sale of Balance Flats exercises in 2022 (a) what percentage of these seniors are applying for HDB flats for a second time or more; and (b) how many of them have been unable to secure a flat for their right-sizing needs.
Mr Desmond Lee: The Housing and Development Board (HDB) offers various housing options to cater to seniors' needs and has measures in place to ensure that public housing remains affordable and accessible to seniors.
Eligible seniors aged 55 and older can purchase a 2-room Flexi flat on a short-lease from HDB, regardless of the number of housing subsidies they have enjoyed previously. In each Build-To-Order (BTO) project with 2-room Flexi flats, at least 40% or 100 units of such flats, whichever is higher, is set aside for seniors. In addition, of these flats, half are set aside for eligible seniors who wish to buy a 2-room Flexi flat to age-in-place or live near their parents or married child under the Senior Priority Scheme.
In 2022, about 6,500 seniors aged 55 and older applied for 2-room Flexi flats in HDB's BTO and Sale of Balance Flats (SBF) exercises. Among them, about 5,200, or around 80%, had taken one or more housing subsidies before. About 2,000, or around 30%, were unsuccessful in their flat applications, with the majority of such applicants applying for a flat in the SBF exercises, where there is limited supply and high demand. Seniors are encouraged to consider applying to BTO projects with lower application rates for a better chance of securing a flat.
For seniors who wish to live in the same precinct as their married child for mutual care and support, HDB offers the Multi-Generation Priority Scheme, which sets aside up to 15% of 2-room Flexi or 3-room flats for eligible seniors. HDB also offers 3Gen flats to facilitate multi-generation living under one roof, and Community Care Apartments (CCA) that integrate housing with care services to support seniors to age-in-place. We will be launching our second CCA pilot at Queenstown in the upcoming November sales exercise.
For seniors looking to right-size, HDB provides the Silver Housing Bonus of up to $30,000 in cash, or the deferment of downpayment until key collection. HDB also holds frequent public outreach programmes to raise awareness of the various options and schemes available for seniors.
Seniors who require further assistance may approach HDB.