Rationale for Pricing of 2-Room HDB Flexi-flats on Short Lease

Ms Sylvia Lim asked the Minister for National Development with regard to the pricing of 2-room HDB flexi-flats on short lease, what is the rationale for setting a higher price for first-timer single, divorced or widowed applicants under the Single Singapore Citizen Scheme compared to those applying under other schemes.

Mr Lawrence Wong: We set aside the majority of our heavily subsidised new flats for the benefit of first-timer families with two or more persons. This includes two or more singles purchasing a 2-room Flexi flat under the Joint Singles Scheme (JSS). These singles, as well as divorced/widowed persons applying with their children, pay the same price as families.

Singles, including divorced/widowed persons without children, buying a 2-room Flexi flat on their own under the Single Singapore Citizen (SSC) Scheme pay a price difference of $15,000 for a 99-year lease flat. For those aged 55 years and above who purchase a 2-room Flexi flat on short lease, the price difference is pro-rated based on the length of the lease. This ensures that limited housing subsidies are equitably distributed among homebuyers.

Singles who subsequently marry a Singapore citizen or Singapore permanent resident can apply for the CPF Housing Top-Up Grant and enjoy the same subsidy as a family.