Assistance to Residents Ineligible for HDB Public Rental Scheme or Unable to Afford Market Public Rentals

Mr Gan Thiam Poh asked the Minister for National Development whether the Government will consider reviewing its policy to extend assistance to residents who are ineligible for flats under the HDB public rental scheme or are unable to afford the market public rentals.

Mr Desmond Lee: The Housing and Development Board takes a needs-based approach and assesses all requests for public rental housing holistically. Various factors, such as applicants’ circumstances, household income, household size, family support and ability to afford other housing options, will be considered. Those who do not have family support and cannot afford other housing options, including renting from the open market, will be assisted with a public rental flat.

We review the Public Rental Scheme regularly to ensure that it remains a social safety net for citizen households with no other housing options.