Access to public housing requires long-term planning, not just policy changes: Desmond Lee

Ensuring access to public housing in Singapore requires long-term planning and is not just about changing policies, National Development Minister Desmond Lee said on April 25.

- Michelle Ng

Government policies to ensure that every Singaporean has access to an affordable home may appear incremental, but they have been "progressive" and "headed in the right direction", said Mr Lee, who is anchoring the PAP team contesting West Coast-Jurong West GRC.

"But we have to be upfront with Singaporeans about the supply that we have, about the land that we have, and when and how we will be able to address needs over time," said Mr Lee.

"There is no point making a promise, no point (in) changing the policy but not being able to deliver on the ground."

He was speaking to the media at a press briefing in Boon Lay to outline the PAP's plans for the group representation constituency.

Access to public housing and the cost of Housing Board flats are among the issues that have been raised by various parties on the campaign trail.

On housing, some opposition parties have proposed alternative policies in their manifestos.

For example, the Workers' Party has long called for the eligibility age for single Singaporeans to apply for a Build-To-Order (BTO) flat to be set at 28 years, down from the current 35.