Proportion of Unsuccessful First-Time HDB BTO Flat Applicants after Fifth Attempt

9 Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef asked the Minister for National Development (a) what proportion of first-time applicants for HDB BTO flats have not succeeded in getting a unit after balloting for five times or more in the recent years; and (b) what are the main reasons for the unsuccessful attempts.

Mr Lawrence Wong: Most first-timer families who apply for a Build-To-Order (BTO) flat in the non-mature estates are able to book a flat within their first or second try, and definitely on their third try.

Those who are unsuccessful in getting a flat after five or more attempts would have applied for BTO flats in the mature estates or flats under the Sale of Balance Flats (SBF) exercises. Such flats have very high application rates and lower chances of success in the ballot. Hence, we encourage first-timer families to apply for BTO flats in non-mature estates, so that they can get their homes soon.