Government unveiled 8,000 flats for sale under BTO, SBF exercise

Check out the beneficiaries.

According to a release, HDB launched 8,000 flats for sale under the joint Build-To-Order (BTO) and Sale of Balance Flats (SBF) exercise. Three new housing measures announced during the 2013 Committee of Supply debate to help first-timers, second-timers, divorcees, and the elderly will also take effect from this sales exercise.

Extension of Parenthood Priority Scheme (PPS) to Expectant Mothers

Under the existing Parenthood Priority Scheme (PPS), HDB sets aside 30% and 50% of the flat supply under BTO and SBF exercises, respectively, for first-timers who are married with a citizen child below 16 years old.

To help more first-timers buy a flat earlier, HDB will extend the PPS to married first-timers who are expecting a child.

Doubling the Quota of 2- and 3-room BTO Flats for Second-Timers

To help second-timers who are rightsizing, HDB will double the quota of 2-room and 3-room BTO flats for second-timers in non-mature estates from 15% to 30%. Out of the 30% quota, 5% will be set aside for second-timer applicants who are divorced/widowed with children below 16 years old under the Assistance Scheme for Second-Timers (Divorced/Widowed Parents) (ASSIST).

Greater Support for Elderly to Right-Size their Home

HDB will reserve 50% of the Studio Apartment (SA) supply in BTO and SBF exercises for eligible elderly applicants under the Studio Apartment Priority Scheme (SAPS). This will provide greater assurance of success for elderly who want to right-size to an SA near their current flat or private property, or near their married children.

BTO Exercise Offering 4,900 Flats

HDB will offer 4,900 BTO flats over eight projects in five non-mature towns, namely Choa Chu Kang, Hougang, Jurong West, Sembawang, and Woodlands.

First-timers will enjoy priority flat allocation with at least 85% (for 4-room and 5-room) and 70% (for 2-room and 3-room) of the BTO flat supply set aside for them.

Out of the quota for first-timers, 30% will be set aside for applicants eligible for PPS. Out of the 30% second-timer quota for 2-room and 3-room BTO flats, 5% will be allocated to divorcees or widows with children below 16 years old.

The Multi-Generation Priority Scheme (MGPS) for parents and married children to apply jointly for flats in the same BTO project will be available to those applying for flats at EastBrook @ Canberra and Spring Haven @ Jurong. In addition, 50% of the SAs in Golden Mint will be set aside for eligible elderly flat applicants under the SAPS.

The Multi-Generation Priority Scheme (MGPS) encourages families to live close to each other in BTO projects where Studio Apartments (SA) or 2-room flats are integrated with other flat types. Up to 15% of the SA or 2-room flat supply in the project (minimum of 20 units) and the corresponding number of 2-room and bigger flats are set aside for offer to MGPS applicants.

Under the MGPS, parents applying for an SA or 2-room flat must submit a joint application with their married child applying for a 2-room or bigger flat. They will have the opportunity of choosing flats on the same floor or elsewhere in the same project, from the pool of pre-identified flats.