Singles to finally get nod to buy HDB flats: Minister Khaw

Hold your horses for a little longer.

In a written reponse by the Minister for National Development to queries by Ms Tan Su Shan, he said that the policy allowing singles to buy new HDB flats for strict purpose of owner-occupation is being polished. "We aim to get it implemented this year," he added.

Here's more from his response:

Singles cannot buy new flats from HDB by themselves. They can buy a resale flat if they are at least 35 years of age.

Over the past 10 years, 18,000 singles aged between 35 and 40 bought HDB resale flats. Of these, 3,800 (or 21%) got married subsequently. We do not have data on singles who did not purchase an HDB flat or a private apartment.

In a separate response, he said that singles are allowed to buy new HDB flats or resale flats from the age of 21, "if they form a family nucleus with their parents to do so. If they wish to live on their own and are aged 35 and above, they can buy a resale HDB flat," he said.

"The minimum age of 35 supports our promotion of marriage and parenthood. We will be revising our policies to allow singles to buy new HDB flats with certain restrictions. However, there are no plans to lower the minimum age, as marriage rates are highest between the ages of 25 and 34," he added.