Written Answer by Ministry of National Development on allocating HDB rental flats to former flat owners

Nov 19, 2018

Ms Sylvia Lim: To ask the Minister for National Development 

(a) how many and what proportion of HDB rental flats under the Public Rental Scheme are currently allocated to Singaporeans who have owned HDB flats previously; and

(b) how does prior home ownership affect the priority of allocation of HDB rental flats compared with applicants who have not previously owned HDB flats.

Answer:

About 24,000, or close to half of all public rental households, have previously owned HDB flats.

Entry into public rental is on a needs-basis.  Rental applicants are assessed based on factors such as household income, whether they have family support, and their ability to afford other housing options.  For applicants who have previously owned a property, the proceeds from the sale of their last property will be taken into account when assessing their housing budget.