SHORTLISTED HDB FLAT APPLICANTS (Retention of original queue position for downgraders)

Mr Ang Mong Seng asked the Minister for National Development whether the Housing and Development Board (HDB) will consider allowing HDB flat applicants who have been shortlisted and wish to downgrade, due to the current economic slowdown, to retain their original queue position.

Mr Lim Hng Kiang: Mr Speaker, Sir, under HDB's prevailing policy, flat applicants under the Registration for Flats System may switch to a smaller flat type if they have not been shortlisted to select their flats. However, this is subject to meeting the eligibility criteria and a 3-month setback in their registration numbers.

For applicants who have already been shortlisted to select their flats, HDB does not normally allow changes to be made to the flat-type and zone applied. However, in view of the current economic downturn, HDB will consider such applicants' requests to downgrade to purchase a smaller flat type, on a case-by-case basis. Their registration numbers will similarly be set back by three months.