PURCHASE OF HOUSING BOARD FLATS (Raising of income ceiling)

Mr Yeo Choo Kok asked the Minister for National Development and Communications if he will consider raising the ceiling of total family income of $1,500 per month, in proportion to the four National Wages Council wage increase recommendations, for applicants who are financially unable to purchase Housing and Urban Development Company flats and who wish to purchase Housing and Development Board flats.

Dr Tan Eng Liang (for the Minister for National Development and Communications): Mr Speaker, Sir, the records of sale, of flats of the Housing and Urban Development Company (HUDC) show that:-

(a) 329 or 18.76% of the purchasers have a family income of less than $1,500 per month.

(b) 515 or 29.36% of the purchasers have a family income of between $1,501 to $2,000 per month.

(c) 910 or 51.88% of the purchasers have a family income above $2,000 per month.

These records show that it is unnecessary for the Housing and Development Board to raise the total family income ceiling of $1,500 per month, as the higher income groups can apply for HUDC flats.

The present position is fair and workable between HDB and HUDC. However, the situation will be watched and if there are cases of inability to buy HUDC flats, consideration will be given to changing the total family income ceiling for the purchase of HDB flats.