HDB to taper supply of BTO flats starting next year

Only 17,000 new flats will be up for sale in 2017.

The public housing programme of Singapore has seen another fruitful year after it launched about 18,000 build-to-order flats, National Development Minister Lawrence Wong said in his latest blog post.

However, Mr. Wong noted that the Housing Development Board is gradually tapering supply of BTO flats. In 2017, HDB will launch about 17,000 new flats for sale to Singaporeans. This is 5.6% fewer than the number of BTO flats launched this year.

"We are gradually tapering supply but still ensuring a healthy pipeline to meet demand. Once again, we will offer a good spread across the mature and non-mature estates," the minister noted.

On the other hand, Mr. Wong revealed that he asked HDB to plan and prepare the land for several new sites which can subsequently be put out as BTO units with shorter waiting time.

"These units will not be ready next year, but I hope we can begin to offer them by 2018," he said.