INCREASE IN NEW CITIZENS

INCREASE IN NEW CITIZENS:

(Population size and ownership of properties): 4.

Mr Terry Lee asked the Minister for National Development (a) how many new citizens were added to our population in 2009; (b) how many of them rented homes as compared to those who bought properties; and (c) what type of properties do they own.

The Senior Minister of State for National Development (Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien) (for the Minister for National Development): Mr Speaker, according to the latest data released by the National Population Secretariat, there were 20,513 new citizens in 2008. The figure for 2009 is not yet available.

The Government does not track the type of properties rented, purchased or owned by new citizens. As a policy, we do not distinguish between indigenous and new citizens. Our commitment in housing is to provide sufficient and affordable flats for first-time Singaporean homebuyers, whether new citizens or otherwise.

I wish to reassure the House that HDB continues to uphold this commitment. Most flat buyers are able to select a Build-To-Order (BTO) flat in non-mature estates within two tries. HDB will offer 12,000 new BTO flats in 2010 or more, if there is demand. This will be supplemented by flats built under the Design, Build and Sell Scheme (DBSS) as well as Executive Condominiums.

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The Government also heavily subsidises the home-ownership programme to ensure that HDB flats remain within the reach of Singaporeans. As a result of these subsidies, 80% of flat buyers today service their mortgage loans entirely with their CPF contributions, without any cash outlay.

There are also ample housing options for citizens who are not eligible for HDB flats or choose not to buy one. They can buy resale flats, private property or rent from the open market.