Update on Occupancy and Waiting Time for HDB Rental Flats
Ministry of National DevelopmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Mr Kwek Hian Chuan Henry’s inquiry regarding occupancy rates and waiting times for HDB rental flats and the Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS) in light of upcoming BTO completions. Minister Desmond Lee reported that as of August 2023, 51,500 public rental flats are occupied with a five-month average waiting time, alongside 1,700 Interim Rental Housing units. Although public rental demand is expected to rise slightly, the government aims to keep waiting times stable and double the PPHS supply to 4,000 units by late 2025. Currently, 900 PPHS flats are occupied through a balloting process every two months where successful applicants can select units and move in immediately. Minister Desmond Lee concluded that since supply remains limited, potential applicants are encouraged to consider alternatives like open market rentals or staying with families.
Transcript
30 Mr Kwek Hian Chuan Henry asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether an update can be provided on the current occupancy and waiting time for HDB rental flats, including flats under the Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme, temporary and permanent flats; and (b) whether the occupancy and waiting time for rental flats will decrease as more HDB BTO projects are completed in the next six to 12 months.
Mr Desmond Lee: As of August 2023, there are about 51,500 occupied flats under the Public Rental Scheme, with an average waiting time of five months. There are about 1,700 occupied flats under the Interim Rental Housing (IRH) scheme, which is offered on a case-by-case basis to lower-income families who are in transit between longer-term options. As there continues to be sustained demand for public rental flats, we expect the number of occupied public rental flats to increase slightly over the next year, but we will seek to keep waiting times stable.
There are about 900 occupied flats under the Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS). The PPHS is open for application once every two months. Eligible applicants are put through a ballot and those shortlisted via the ballot are invited to select a flat and sign the tenancy agreement in the month following their application. They will collect the keys to the flat at the same time and can move in immediately.
Even as more Housing and Development Board (HDB) Build-To-Order (BTO) projects are completed, we expect sustained demand for PPHS flats. We will double the PPHS flat supply from about 2,000 units at present to 4,000 units by the end of 2025. Nonetheless, supply remains limited, and we will not be able to offer a PPHS flat to every applicant. As such, potential PPHS applicants are encouraged to consider their full range of options, including open market rental or living with their families.