HDB FLATS SOLD UPON DIVORCE

HDB FLATS SOLD UPON DIVORCE

31.

Ms Irene Ng Phek Hoong asked the Minister for National Development (a) how many matrimonial HDB flats have been sold upon divorce each year, over the last five years; and (b) what public housing options are readily available to just divorced lower-income or unemployed women with children, upon the sale of their matrimonial home.

Mr Mah Bow Tan: Based on HDB's records for the past five years, there were about 1,500 HDB flats per year that were sold upon divorce.

Upon disposal of their matrimonial home, divorced persons with legal custody of at least one child would constitute a family nucleus and will have the option of buying a new or resale HDB flat according to their eligibility.

For instance, divorced persons who are first-timers can list their child as an essential occupier to buy a subsidised new flat from HDB or purchase a resale flat with the CPF Housing Grant. First-timer low-income households can also apply for the Additional CPF Housing Grant of up to $30,000 if they meet the income ceiling and eligibility criteria.

Divorced persons who are second-timers can also buy a subsidised new flat with their child, subject to payment of the resale levy. Alternatively, such households can buy a flat from the resale market without the need to pay the resale levy. A re-constituted family comprising a second-timer divorcee who re-marries a first-timer can also apply for a half CPF Housing Grant.

It is not advisable for unemployed divorced women with children to buy a HDB flat, as they will not have an income to service their mortgage loan. Such households should only consider buying a flat when they are financially ready. In the interim, they should turn to their families, such as staying with relatives for mutual care and support. They can also consider renting a room from the open market as this will involve a smaller financial outlay than buying a flat.

However, in cases where the divorced spouse has no family to turn to and is unable to find accommodation on her own, HDB can consider their appeals to rent a subsidised flat, taking into account the merits of the case.