Reviewing Household Income Ceiling Criterion For HDB Rental Flats

Mr Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap asked the Minister for National Development with regard to renting of flats from HDB, whether the Ministry will consider (a) reviewing the household income ceiling eligibility criterion of $1,500 per month; and (b) making policy and allocation assessments based on a family's per capita income.

Mr Khaw Boon Wan: HDB rental flats make up 5% of all HDB flats. They are meant to serve deserving needy families who have no viable housing options.

As $1,500 per month corresponds to the 20th percentile of household income, we deem the current income ceiling for the Public Rental Scheme appropriate.

In practice, HDB will exercise flexibility so that bigger families exceeding the income ceiling can still get a public rental flat, if they have no family support or other housing options.