Unoccupied HDB Rental Flats for Use by BTO Flat Applicants Affected by Construction Delays

53 Mr Lim Biow Chuan asked the Minister for National Development (a) how many HDB rental flats are currently not occupied; and (b) whether HDB can allow the buyers of BTO flats that were delayed to rent these flats on a temporary basis.

Mr Desmond Lee: Generally, flat buyers who are waiting for their new flats and require temporary housing are encouraged to find alternative housing arrangements with family members, relatives or on the open market. Where they are unable to do so, first-timer applicants who are waiting for their BTO flats can apply for temporary housing under the Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS). For low-income households with no family support and no other housing option, HDB will consider offering Interim Rental Housing (IRH) on a case-by-case basis.

In fact, we have already offered some vacant rental flats to affected flat buyers under IRH. However, we need to prioritise our rental flats for low-income and vulnerable households with no other housing option.