Rental Flats for Citizens with Spouses on Long-term Visit Pass

Ms Lee Li Lian asked the Minister for National Development what are the reasons for disqualifying a Singapore citizen whose spouse holds a long-term visit pass from applying for a rental flat under HDB's Public Rental Scheme and whether HDB offers alternative housing options for such families.

The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for National Development (Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman) (for the Minister for National Development): Mdm Speaker, HDB public rental flats are heavily subsidised to help low-income Singapore citizen households who have no other housing options or family support. The HDB rental scheme treats a citizen married to another citizen differently from a citizen married to a foreigner. Nevertheless, HDB will consider the merit of each case and exercise flexibility to help those truly in need.