SELECTIVE EN BLOC REDEVELOPMENT SCHEME

SELECTIVE EN BLOC REDEVELOPMENT SCHEME

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(Number of flats slated for demolition rented out to foreigners): **

10.

Ms Sylvia Lim asked the Minister for National Development how many HDB flats that had been slated for demolition under the Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme (SERS) have been rented out, or are designated to be rented out, to foreigners working in Singapore, through Government agencies or agents appointed by the HDB.

Mr Mah Bow Tan: The Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme (SERS) is part of the Government’s estate renewal strategy for older public housing estates. Under the scheme, residents trade in their old HDB flats for new HDB flats. The land where the old flats are sited can then be freed up for more intensified use. Most of the vacated SERS flats have been demolished. For sites which are not required immediately for new developments, the vacated SERS flats are sometimes put to interim use, such as short-term rental housing.

Currently, 2,200 vacated SERS flats or 6% of flats undergoing SERS are leased out to managing agents for short term use. The managing agents can only let out these flats to approved categories of tenants, both Singaporeans and foreigners. These include citizens, PRs, employment pass and S-pass holders. The tenants pay full market rates for these rentals.

In addition, some flats in these sites are designated for Interim Rental Housing, which are reserved for Singapore citizens in financial hardship and need temporary accommodation. These flats are offered at below market rates.

In short, these vacated flats are being put to good interim use. They help provide short term housing to needy Singaporeans and other approved categories of tenants.