HDB JOINT SINGLES SCHEME

HDB JOINT SINGLES SCHEME: **

(Rental and resale of flats): **

3.

Ms Irene Ng Phek Hoong asked the Minister for National Development if he will provide an update on the Joint Singles Scheme for rental and resale flats over the last 5 years, in particular (i) what is the number of singles taking up these flats; (ii) what is the profile of these singles in terms of gender and age; and (iii) what assistance is provided to elderly singles who are unable to find someone to share a rental or purchase flat with.

Mr Mah Bow Tan: Joint Singles Scheme for Home Ownership Flats

The Joint Singles Scheme (JSS) allows two to four single Singapore citizens who are at least 35 years old to buy a resale HDB flat together. Over the last five years, there were about 1,400 resale HDB flats purchased by singles under JSS. Among the 3,000 singles who purchased these flats, there were equal proportions of male and female flat buyers. Close to 60% of the applicants were aged 35-45 years old, about 30% were aged 46-55 years, and the remaining 10% were aged 55 and above.

HDB has in place a range of housing options for the elderly, including elderly singles. Elderly singles who are unable to find other eligible singles to share a resale flat with, are encouraged to stay with their relatives and friends for mutual support. However, should they choose to live on their own, they can also (a) purchase a resale flat alone under the Single Singapore Citizen (SSC) scheme; (b) purchase a Studio Apartment from HDB; or (c) rent a room or flat from the open market.

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Joint Singles Scheme for Subsidised Rental Flats

HDB's subsidised rental flats are meant to provide affordable accommodation for lower income households in financial hardship and have no one to turn to for help. Under the JSS for rental flats, two single citizens 1 , who are at least 35 years old and have a combined monthly income of not more than $1,500, can apply to rent a 1-room flat from HDB at heavily subsidised rates.

HDB allocated about 3,600 subsidised rental flats to singles under the JSS in the past five years. Among the 6,700 singles who were allocated rental flats, 65% were male and 35% were female. About 20% of the rental tenants were aged 35-45 years, 30% aged 45-55 years, and the remaining 50% above 55 years old.

Singles who need help to find a flat mate for a JSS rental flat can approach HDB for assistance.

1 Or a minimum of one citizen and one permanent resident.

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