Screening of Flatowners who Approach HDB for Mortgage Assistance for Visits to Casinos

12 Mr Gan Thiam Poh asked the Minister for National Development whether HDB flat owners who approach HDB for financial assistance on their mortgage loans will be screened for visits to casinos and, if not, why.

The Second Minister for National Development (Mr Desmond Lee) (for the Minister for National Development): Mr Speaker, HDB has a range of measures to assist flat owners with HDB loans who are in mortgage arrears. These include short-term measures such as the temporary reduction or deferment of mortgage payments and longer term measures such as extending their loan tenure if possible.

HDB also provides one-to-one financial counselling for mortgagors in arrears to tailor HDB's advice and assistance based on the household's circumstances.

As HDB does not withhold assistance from flat owners on the basis of casino visits, HDB does not screen for this when mortgagors approach them for assistance on their HDB loans.