Proposal for Early Exit from HDB Minimum Occupation Period Requirement with Appropriate Safeguards

Mr Shawn Loh asked the Minister for National Development whether HDB has considered introducing a more graduated Minimum Occupation Period, under which households facing genuine changes in housing needs could exit earlier subject to appropriate safeguards, such as a proportionate clawback of housing subsidies or a graduated exit tax, rather than relying on case-by-case appeals.

Mr Chee Hong Tat: The Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) for Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats is in place to prioritise our limited supply of public housing for households with genuine housing needs. As household circumstances vary, HDB assesses all appeals for MOP waivers holistically on a case-by-case basis, and exercises flexibility where there are genuine needs.