reporter2
21-11-11, 17:50
http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/sub/news/story/0,4574,465525-1321559940,00.html?
Published November 17, 2011
First-timers stand high chance of getting flat: Khaw
By UMA SHANKARI
SEVENTY-THREE per cent of newlyweds who applied for HDB's build-to-order (BTO) flats for the first time in July this year were invited to choose one, National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan said yesterday.
He shared the figure in his latest blog entry, where he provided a breakdown of selection results for the July BTO exercise.
Mr Khaw said that with ramped-up construction and priority treatment, newlyweds now stand a good chance of getting their flats.
'Since I joined MND, (Ministry for National Development), HDB has launched 16,000 new flats. Excluding studio apartments, nearly 14,000 units were reserved for newlywed first-timers,' wrote Mr Khaw.
A first-timer refers to an applicant who has never bought an HDB flat directly from HDB, nor received a CPF Housing Grant.
'With this ramped up construction programme and priority in treatment, newlyweds now stand a very high chance of succeeding in BTO selection,' he added.
But he also noted that as only 5 per cent of new flats were reserved for second-timers, their success rate was low.
Just 11 per cent of second-timers - that is, those who have previously bought an HDB flat directly from HDB or taken a CPF housing grant - were invited to select a flat.
'After we have cleared most of the first-timer queue, we will tweak the balloting rules to enhance the chances for second-timers,' Mr Khaw said.
'This should be towards the end of next year. I seek their patience and understanding.'
Published November 17, 2011
First-timers stand high chance of getting flat: Khaw
By UMA SHANKARI
SEVENTY-THREE per cent of newlyweds who applied for HDB's build-to-order (BTO) flats for the first time in July this year were invited to choose one, National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan said yesterday.
He shared the figure in his latest blog entry, where he provided a breakdown of selection results for the July BTO exercise.
Mr Khaw said that with ramped-up construction and priority treatment, newlyweds now stand a good chance of getting their flats.
'Since I joined MND, (Ministry for National Development), HDB has launched 16,000 new flats. Excluding studio apartments, nearly 14,000 units were reserved for newlywed first-timers,' wrote Mr Khaw.
A first-timer refers to an applicant who has never bought an HDB flat directly from HDB, nor received a CPF Housing Grant.
'With this ramped up construction programme and priority in treatment, newlyweds now stand a very high chance of succeeding in BTO selection,' he added.
But he also noted that as only 5 per cent of new flats were reserved for second-timers, their success rate was low.
Just 11 per cent of second-timers - that is, those who have previously bought an HDB flat directly from HDB or taken a CPF housing grant - were invited to select a flat.
'After we have cleared most of the first-timer queue, we will tweak the balloting rules to enhance the chances for second-timers,' Mr Khaw said.
'This should be towards the end of next year. I seek their patience and understanding.'