Statistics on Unsuccessful First-timer Applicants for HDB Flats
Ministry of National DevelopmentSpeakers
Summary
This question, raised by Mr Png Eng Huat, concerns the number of unsuccessful first-timer HDB flat applicants and the components of the computerized balloting algorithm. Minister Lawrence Wong reported that approximately 990 and 4,200 first-timer families were unsuccessful in the August and November 2018 BTO exercises respectively, with the latter seeing high demand for prime locations. He highlighted that families unsuccessful twice in non-mature estates receive additional ballot chances, leading to all such applicants being successful by their third attempt. The randomized balloting process determines queue numbers by accounting for ethnic quotas, household status, and various eligible priority schemes. Minister Lawrence Wong emphasized that the entire process is audited to ensure it remains fair to all flat applicants.
Transcript
53 Mr Png Eng Huat asked the Minister for National Development (a) how many first-timer applicants for HDB flats have not been successful in getting a flat at each of the last four quarterly sales exercises; and (b) what are the components behind the algorithm that assigns the computerised ballot number for flat buyers.
Mr Lawrence Wong: The number of unsuccessful applicants for the 2019 Build-To-Order (BTO) exercises in February and May are not available as flat selections are still ongoing. For the two BTO exercises in August and November 2018, about 990 and 4,200 first-timer families respectively were unsuccessful in their attempt to apply for a flat. Demand for some of the BTO projects in November 2018 was particularly strong due to their good location and shorter waiting time.
First-timer families who have been unsuccessful in two applications in non-mature estates will receive one additional ballot chance per subsequent application in non-mature estates. As a result, over the past two years, among the first-timer families who applied for a BTO flat in non-mature estates, all have been successful by their third attempt.
The balloting process essentially selects a certain number of flat applicants based on the number of flats on offer and assigns them a queue number. The process is randomised but will take into account various factors, including the ethnic quotas for the various buyer groups, the applicants’ household status, and the priority schemes the applicants are eligible for. The balloting process is audited to ensure that it is fair to all applicants.