Singapore – Single Singaporeans will not be eligible to purchase Prime Location Public Housing (PLH), even if it’s resale or the buyer is over 35 years old because the model is new and untested, said Minister for National Development Desmond Lee.
The Housing and Development Board (HDB) announced the new PLH model, including the upcoming Build-To-Order (BTO) flats in Rochor.
However, the eligibility conditions for purchasing property under PLH are different. Its resale flats are not open to singles above 35 years old but only for buyers with an “eligible family nucleus” like married couples.
On Wednesday (Oct 27), Pink Dot SG Facebook page expressed concerns about the model.
“‘Singles’ (in other words single or married LGBTQ folks, rainbow families and single heterosexual folks), even those above the age of 35, will not be allowed to purchase any HDB located in prime locations (city centre, Great Southern Waterfront, etc.), thanks to policy changes,” the post noted.
“These are aimed at ‘keeping prime HDB flats affordable and inclusive.’ Only ‘eligible family nucleus’ will be allowed to purchase them (e.g. married straight couples).”
Members from the online community wondered if the “meaning of inclusivity changed overnight.”
“What kind of a dang ‘inclusive”‘ project is this? It defeats the purpose of naming it ‘inclusive,'” commented Facebook user Kriss Ariana.
“Singles have been discriminated to begin with.. and now it is a daylight condemnation! Obviously, this is a public policy that has been rolled out without a proper consultation. Is this what we called as ‘absolute power tends to corrupt?'” asked Facebook user Adi Kesuma.
In a speech at the Singapore Economic Policy Forum on Friday (Oct 29), Mr Lee touched on the PLH model, noting, “We want to build public housing in prime locations like the city centre so that these areas do not become exclusive neighbourhoods that only the well-to-do can enjoy.”
“We will provide additional subsidies to keep these PLH flats affordable at initial sale. To try to address the excessive windfall gains that this might lead to, we will recover the additional subsidies, as a percentage of the resale price, when the home is later sold on the open market,” he said.
“To keep flats affordable and accessible upon resale, we will require resale buyers to meet prevailing eligibility conditions for BTO flats.”
When asked why singles aren’t allowed to buy PLH flats, even on the resale market, Mr Lee explained the decision came from BTO criteria, which currently allow singles to buy new 2-room flats in the non-mature estates.
“Some Singaporeans remain single for a variety of reasons, including obligation to family and parents, or a matter of choice, or a matter of life course. But many still want or need their own living space. They may wonder if we care about their housing needs. To these Singaporeans, let me assure you: we do,” said Mr Lee.
“The PLH model is brand new, untested in the market, and we won’t be launching many PLH flats initially. So we’re prioritising them, for now, for larger households who may need more space for more people in their families,” he added.
More details on the PLH model can be found here./TISG
Read related: Buying A BTO Flat In 2021? Here’s A Complete Cost Breakdown
https://theindependent.sg/buying-a-bto-flat-in-2021-heres-a-complete-cost-breakdown/