Many S'poreans want HDB priority schemes removed for prime flats

Feedback also shows support for limiting pool of buyers who can buy prime-area resale flats

- Michelle Ng

Removing Housing Board priority schemes and limiting those who can buy prime HDB resale flats on the open market are two ideas the majority of Singaporeans in public consultations support to keep public housing in prime areas accessible and affordable.

The majority of Singaporeans also feel that owners should not be allowed to rent out the whole HDB flat after the five-year minimum occupation period (MOP), according to a report released by the Ministry of National Development (MND) yesterday.

More than 7,500 Singaporeans have weighed in on how to keep new HDB flats in prime areas, such as the city centre and Greater Southern Waterfront, inclusive since plans to do so were announced in November last year.

Public engagements to gather feedback and suggestions on the plans ended last month.

In a Facebook post yesterday, National Development Minister Desmond Lee said: “It is encouraging that Singaporeans have taken a very keen interest in this issue, and we thank all who have generously shared their perspectives and ideas. These suggestions have enriched our policy-thinking in developing the new public housing model, one that has been in the works for some time.”