Restrictions on Stateless Persons Attempting to Buy or Rent HDB Flat
Ministry of National DevelopmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the restrictions on stateless persons attempting to buy or rent HDB flats, as raised by Mr Christopher de Souza. Minister for National Development Desmond Lee explained that stateless persons are treated like other Singapore Permanent Residents (SPRs) or non-residents to prioritize housing supply for Singapore Citizens. Stateless SPRs can buy or rent flats if they form a family nucleus with a citizen, while those without a citizen member are restricted to the resale market after three years of residency. Stateless non-residents cannot buy or rent directly but may live as occupiers in eligible households. Finally, HDB assesses appeals for stateless persons facing genuine housing difficulties on a case-by-case basis in coordination with relevant agencies such as MSF.
Transcript
20 Mr Christopher de Souza asked the Minister for National Development what are the restrictions on stateless persons attempting to buy or rent a HDB flat and whether such restrictions can be eased.
Mr Desmond Lee: To prioritise our limited public housing supply for Singapore Citizens (SCs), additional restrictions are placed on Singapore Permanent Residents (SPRs) and non-residents who wish to buy an HDB flat or rent one from HDB. We do not differentiate stateless persons from other SPRs and non-residents.
Stateless persons who are SPRs thus have the same access to HDB flats as other SPRs. For example, if they can form an eligible family nucleus with an adult SC, they can buy a new or resale HDB flat (with housing grants if applicable), or rent a flat from HDB, provided that the SC is listed as one of the flat applicants and the family meets the prevailing eligibility conditions. SPR families without an SC member can only buy a resale flat on the open market, if they have been SPRs for at least three years and meet the other eligibility conditions.
Stateless persons who are non-residents cannot buy an HDB flat or rent one from HDB, but can live in an HDB flat as an occupier if they are part of an SC or SPR family that is eligible to buy or rent a flat.
Nonetheless, for stateless persons who face genuine housing difficulties or have no other housing options, HDB will assess their appeals on a case-by-case basis, to understand their unique circumstances and work with relevant agencies such as MSF to see how best to assist them.