Written Answer by Ministry of National Development on smaller flat sizes

Oct 7, 2019

Mr Gan Thiam Poh: To ask the Minister for National Development whether HDB will consider building 1-room Flexi flats that are integrated with other flat types for singles who have a lower financial capability to purchase HDB flats.

Answer:

Eligible singles can purchase 2-room Flexi BTO flats in the non-mature estates. Such flats come in two sizes, 36 square metres and 45 square metres, and are integrated with other flat types in the same blocks. The smaller 36-square metre flat is cheaper, and caters to singles who have more limited budgets or less space needs.  In fact, after the generous government discounts and subsidies, first-timer singles buying new flats, on average, use only about 20% of their monthly income for mortgage instalments. This means that they are generally able to service their mortgages from their CPF contributions, with little or no cash outlay.  

So the existing 2-room Flexi units provide affordable housing options for singles, and there may not be a need to make the flat sizes smaller.