Oral Answer by Ministry of National Development on Ethnic Integration Policy for HDB flats
Feb 6, 2017
Mr Lim Biow Chuan: To ask the Minister for National Development whether there are any plans to assist flat owners who are unable to sell their HDB flat due to the quota imposed under the Ethnic Integration Policy.
Dr Intan Azura Mokhtar: To ask the Minister for National Development whether there are plans to review and introduce greater flexibility on the Ethnic Integration Policy for HDB flats in light of the sluggish property market where some home owners are finding it even more difficult to sell their flats.
Answer:
The Ethnic Integration Policy (EIP) was introduced in 1989 to ensure a balanced mix of ethnic groups living in our HDB estates, so as to promote racial harmony and strengthen social cohesion. These objectives are still relevant today.
Most flat sellers from our experience are still able to secure buyers from eligible ethnic groups, given the large volume of resale transactions annually. In the current property market, flat sellers may need to plan ahead and give themselves more time to secure a buyer. Nevertheless, HDB has and will continue to exercise flexibility for households of mixed parentage or marriages, or where there are exceptional circumstances.