HDB Launches 10,209 BTO, Balance Flats; Singles Priority Scheme Kicks In

7 in 10 BTO flats in this sales exercise have waiting times of four years or less

- Isabelle Liew

The Housing Board launched 5,547 Build-To-Order (BTO) flats on July 23 for sale across eight projects in Bukit Merah, Bukit Panjang, Clementi, Sembawang, Tampines, Toa Payoh and Woodlands, including the first units in the new estate of Sembawang North.

Another 4,662 balance flats have also been put on offer, including 1,733 Sale of Balance Flats units that are completed and ready for home buyers to move into. The bulk of the balance flats are in Kallang/Whampoa, Tengah and Geylang.

A slew of policy changes that benefit singles and families looking to upgrade or right-size their homes will also take effect from this sales exercise.

HDB said it would increase the subsidies for four Prime projects in Bukit Merah, Toa Payoh and Clementi to keep the flats affordable for more Singaporeans. It did not specify the extent of this increase.

Upon resale, owners of these flats will be subject to a higher subsidy clawback, which is set at 11 per cent for Toa Payoh Ascent, and Alexandra Peaks and Alexandra Vista in Bukit Merah. At Clementi Emerald, it is 12 per cent.

These clawbacks correspond to the extent of the extra subsidies offered, said HDB. There is also a 10-year minimum occupation period (MOP) for these flats.

The clawback for Prime flats was 9 per cent in the past two sales exercises.

The remaining four projects fall under the Standard classification — these flats do not have a subsidy recovery clause when they are sold, and come with a five-year MOP.

HDB said that seven out of 10 BTO flats in this exercise have waiting times of four years or less.

Sembawang Beacon, the first project in the new Sembawang North neighbourhood, comprises 775 two-room flexi and three-, four- and five-room flats, as well as three-generation units, on a site bounded by Admiralty Link, Admiralty Lane and Canberra Road.