NDR 2024: Singles to get priority for BTO flats to live near parents, more assisted-living flats for seniors
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On housing concerns, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has asked the National Development Ministry to “see what more we can do for singles”.
ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG
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SINGAPORE – Singles applying for Build-To-Order (BTO) flats will have priority when buying a home with or near their parents from mid-2025.
This is one of the key housing policy changes announced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in his National Day Rally speech on Aug 18.
Here is what he said about housing during the Rally.
1. Concerning singles
The married child priority scheme, which gives married children and their parents priority access to BTO flats if they apply to live with or within a 4km radius of each other, will be extended to singles.
Up to 30 per cent of flat supply in a BTO launch is allocated to first-timer families under this scheme. PM Wong said more details will be provided by the Ministry of National Development (MND).
At the moment, singles are allowed to apply only for two-room flexi BTO flats from the age of 35, if they want to live in a new flat. They can buy a flat on the resale market from the age of 35 without any restriction on flat size.
Addressing their housing concerns, PM Wong said he has asked MND to “see what more we can do for singles”.
2. Help for first-time home buyers
There will be more financial help for first-time home buyers – especially those from lower-income groups – as the Government plans to raise support under the Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG).
The EHG currently gives up to $80,000 in grants for families and $40,000 for singles buying their first new or resale flat.
National Development Minister Desmond Lee will give more details soon, said PM Wong.
3. Senior-friendly flats
PM Wong said more community care apartments, which pair senior-friendly housing design with on-site care services, will be launched.
The keys to the first of such assisted-living flats in Bukit Batok will be handed over to residents later in 2024, he said.
For seniors who prefer not to move, the Government is studying ways to make existing homes more senior-friendly, he added.
The show-flat at HDB Hub for community care apartments, Singapore’s first assisted-living flats.
PHOTO: ST FILE
4. Keeping homes affordable
Housing prices shot up after the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted the construction industry.
But efforts have been made to ramp up supply and keep housing affordable.
All BTO projects delayed by the pandemic will be completed by early 2025.
PM Wong also said MND had earlier committed to launching 100,000 BTO flats from 2021 to 2025.
It will surpass 80,000 units by December 2024, and meet its target on schedule in 2025.
More BTO flats will have waiting times of less than three years, down from the current four years for most projects, as a result of building homes ahead of demand, said PM Wong.
Read more: Key announcements from PM Wong’s first National Day Rally
Watch PM Wong’s National Day Rally speech here:
