Proposal for Set-up of Smaller Satellite HDB Service Office in Hougang
Ministry of National DevelopmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns MP Dennis Tan Lip Fong's proposal for a satellite HDB service office in Hougang to maintain face-to-face services after the Hougang Branch's closure. Minister Chee Hong Tat stated that HDB has opened a 24-hour e-Lobby at Block 806 Hougang Central equipped with self-help kiosks for mortgage and rental payments. To assist with the transition, a service ambassador is stationed at the e-Lobby until October 2025, with potential extensions based on resident needs. Residents requiring complex transactions or wet-ink signatures can visit the Sengkang Branch, while those with exceptional accessibility needs can request in-person service at the Hougang e-Lobby. These measures ensure continued service accessibility while facilitating the redevelopment of the mixed commercial and residential site at Hougang Avenue 10 and Hougang Central.
Transcript
89 Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for National Development whether HDB can consider setting up a smaller satellite service office in the Hougang area for the convenience of residents living in the vicinity who require physical face-to-face services with staff and beyond e-kiosk services, after the closure of its office at Block 814 Hougang Central.
Mr Chee Hong Tat: The Housing and Development Board (HDB) Hougang Branch was closed on 1 September 2025 to facilitate the development of the mixed commercial and residential site at Hougang Ave 10 and Hougang Central.
To ensure continued service for residents, HDB has implemented several measures.
First, HDB has opened a 24-hour e-Lobby at the ground floor of Block 806 Hougang Central. HDB has also set up e-Lobbies in Bukit Panjang in 2018 and Queenstown in 2022. The e-Lobby is equipped with self-help machines, such as HDB's e-Service kiosks, for residents to access HDB services and complete transactions, such as mortgage and rental payments. These services are also available on the HDB InfoWEB and Mobile@HDB app.
Second, to guide residents in using these e-services, as a transitional measure, HDB has stationed a service ambassador at the e-Lobby until October 2025. We will continue to monitor the situation and may consider extending the availability of the service ambassador, if there is a need to do so.
Third, for complex transactions or transactions requiring wet-ink signatures to be made in person, residents can book an appointment at the Sengkang Branch located at Rivervale Plaza, which is accessible by train and multiple bus services.
We recognise that some residents may have accessibility needs or face exceptional circumstances. For these residents, they may reach out to HDB directly to be served in-person at the Hougang e-Lobby.