HDB FLATS (Situation)

Dr Wong Kwei Cheong asked the Minister for National Development (a) how many Housing and Development Board flats are currently available for sale; (b) how many flats will be completed by the end of 1986; (c) what is the number of applications for flats as at the latest convenient date; and (d) whether the HDB has plans to review its building programmes if there is a possibility of an oversupply of HDB flats.

Mr Teh Cheang Wan: Mr Speaker, Sir, the number of HDB flats available for sale as at 28th February 1986, was 18,465. A total of 40,000 flats is scheduled for completion in 1986. As at 28th February 1986, the number of applications for purchase of HDB flats was 52,219.

The HDB's building programme is always reviewed every six months to take into account changes in demand. The programme will be adjusted if there is a possibility of an oversupply of HDB flats.

Dr Wong Kwei Cheong (Cairnhill): Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to ask the Minister whether it is true that some HDB flats were not taken up by purchasers for more than a year. If so, why were such flats not taken up?

Mr Teh Cheang Wan: Mr Speaker, Sir, because HDB has built a very large number of flats, in fact, slightly ahead of the demand, the purchaser has become very choosy. He continuously rejects the flat. Some of them, even though they have accepted the flat initially, declined later. This has resulted in the flat being vacant for a long time.

Mr Chng Hee Kok (Radin Mas): Will the Minister consider, assuming that these flats are in so-called less popular estates, easing the down payment and other payment terms, to make these so-called less popular areas more attractive?

Mr Teh Cheang Wan: Mr Speaker, Sir, the down payment for a small flat for the lower income group has been reduced to a very attractive term. It is only 5%.

Mr Chng Hee Kok: Sorry, the Minister has misunderstood my question. Generally, the down payment is 20% for everybody, even for the less popular estates.

Mr Speaker: Let us have your supplementary question, please.

Mr Chng Hee Kok: For the less popular estates, will the Minister consider reducing the general down payment so that more people can take up those flats?

Mr Teh Cheang Wan: Mr Speaker, Sir, I will not change the rules. I think the present rules are still satisfactory.