Written Answer by Ministry of National Development on unsuccessful BTO flat applicants

Sep 2, 2019

Mr Png Eng Huat: To ask the Minister for National Development:
(a) how many first-timer applicants for HDB flats have not been not successful in getting a flat at each of the last four quarterly sales exercises; and
(b) what are the components behind the algorithm that assigns the computerised ballot number for flat buyers.

Answer:

The number of unsuccessful applicants for the 2019 Build-To-Order (BTO) exercises in February and May are not available as flat selections are still ongoing.  For the two BTO exercises in August and November 2018, about 990 and 4,200 first-timer families respectively were unsuccessful in their attempt to apply for a flat.  Demand for some of the BTO projects in November 2018 was particularly strong due to their good location and shorter waiting time. 

First-timer families who have been unsuccessful in two applications in non-mature estates will receive one additional ballot chance per subsequent application in non-mature estates.  As a result, over the past two years, among the first-timer families who applied for a BTO flat in non-mature estates, all have been successful by their third attempt.  

The balloting process essentially selects a certain number of flat applicants based on the number of flats on offer and assigns them a queue number.  The process is randomized but will take into account various factors, including the ethnic quotas for the various buyer groups, the applicants’ household status, and the priority schemes the applicants are eligible for.  The balloting process is audited to ensure that it is fair to all applicants.