Written Answer by Ministry of National Development on income ceilings for BTO flats and ECs

Sep 2, 2019

Mr Ang Wei Neng: To ask the Minister for National Development:
(a) in the past three years, how many applications for HDB BTO flats and executive condominiums have been rejected due to failure to meet the $10,000 and $12,000 income ceilings respectively; and
(b) whether HDB is prepared to increase the respective income ceilings.

Answer:

HDB is committed to helping Singaporeans, particularly first-timers and lower to middle-income families, own a home. The income ceiling helps to ensure that housing subsidies are prioritised for those who need them most.  

At the current income ceiling of $12,000, about 8 in 10 Singaporeans are able to buy a subsidised flat. Households earning up to $14,000 may buy an Executive Condominium (EC) unit from property developers. There is no income ceiling restriction for the purchase of a resale HDB flat on the open market.

From 2016 to 2018, HDB turned down an average of about 360 applications per year for new flats and ECs due to the income ceilings.

We will continue to review our public housing policies to ensure that they remain relevant.