BTOS Non-selection count ensures fairness for applicants with urgent housing needs

We refer to the letter by Mr Yong Sow Shiung, “Relook one-year penalty for invited applicants who choose not to select a flat” (Sept 29).

- 

HDB encourages all flat applicants to book a flat when they have the chance to do so. In past years, about 40 per cent of flat applicants who were invited to book a Build-To-Order (BTO) flat did not do so, citing reasons such as their preferred units not being available or wanting to apply for flats in other sales exercises.

Such behaviour crowded out other home buyers with more urgent housing needs, who were not shortlisted to select a flat.