Justification for Distinction between Ethnic Integration Policy and Non-citizen Criteria for Open Market Rentals of HDB Flats
Ministry of National DevelopmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the justification for distinguishing between the Ethnic Integration Policy (EIP) and non-citizen quotas for HDB open market rentals. Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim inquired if EIP criteria should be applied to rentals to prevent changes to estate characteristics during long-term tenancies. Minister for National Development Desmond Lee responded that EIP applies to flat sales for ethnic balance, whereas rental stays are temporary. He clarified that the non-citizen quota specifically prevents foreigner enclaves and preserves the Singaporean character of HDB heartlands by capping non-Malaysian tenancies. Both policies collectively ensure HDB estates reflect Singapore’s ethnically diverse character, with the Ministry regularly reviewing policies to meet evolving societal needs.
Transcript
45 Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for National Development (a) what is the justification for the distinction between the ethnic integration policy (EIP) and non-citizen criteria for open market rentals of HDB flats since both will alter the characteristics of a housing estate regardless of the duration of the tenancy; and (b) whether the Ministry has considered applying EIP criteria for open market rentals when they exceed a certain duration.
Mr Desmond Lee: The Ethnic Integration Policy (EIP) applies to the sale and purchase of all Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats. The EIP ensures a balanced mix of the various ethnic communities in our HDB towns. Tenants who rent HDB flats on the open market are not subject to EIP, as their stays are typically temporary in nature and do not affect the ethnic proportions in our public housing estates over the long term.
Flat owners who wish to rent out their flats to one or more tenants who are neither citizens nor Malaysians, are subject to the Non-Citizen (NC) Quota. The NC quota helps to maintain the Singaporean character of our HDB heartlands and prevents the formation of foreigner enclaves, as it caps the maximum proportion of flats that can be rented out to such non-citizen tenants, regardless of their race.
Together, the EIP and NC quotas help to ensure that our HDB estates reflect our ethnically diverse Singaporean character. The Ministry of National Development will continue to review our housing policies to keep pace with the societal changes and evolving needs of Singaporeans.