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New housing model for prime-location flats; Rochor BTO project to be launched under new model

/ EdgeProp Singapore |

October 27, 2021 4:22 PM SGT

An Artist’s impression of the pilot Prime Location Public Housing project at Rochor, in the Central Area. (Picture: HDB)

SINGAPORE (EDGEPROP) - The Ministry of National Development (MND) and the Housing & Development Board (HDB) have developed a new public housing model called Prime Location Public Housing (PLH).

Read also: HDB launches almost 5,000 BTO flats in August

The new housing model ensures that future public housing developments in prime, central areas such as the city centre and the upcoming Greater Southern Waterfront are kept affordable, accessible and inclusive for Singaporeans.

As part of the upcoming November Build-To-Order (BTO) sales exercise, HDB will launch a new project in Rochor under the new housing model.

New additional subsidies to be recovered

The new housing model will include key measures that affect the purchase of new and resale PLH flats.

Since these new prime location flats would naturally command higher market values, new PLH flats will be priced with additional government subsidies, on top of existing subsidy schemes offered by the government.

However, these additional subsidies provided for the first sale of PLH flats will be recovered upon the resale of the property. HDB says that owners will pay a percentage of the resale price of the flat to HDB, as a means to recover the additional subsidies. More details will be announced in the November 2021 BTO sales exercise. (Find HDB flats for rent or sale with our Singapore HDB directory)

Reduced priority allocation quota

The priority quotas for flat allocation under the Married Child Priority Scheme will be “reviewed and adjusted depending on the location for sites” for projects launched under the PLH housing model.

On the other hand, the eligibility conditions to buy such flats will be the same as the prevailing eligibility conditions for BTO purchases.

New resale eligibility conditions for PHL flats

According to HDB, the resale of PHL flats will be “ringfenced” for buyers who meet HDB’s prevailing eligibility conditions for the purchase of flats directly from HDB (see table). The government says these eligibility conditions ensure that resale prices of flats in these prime locations do not climb beyond the reach of most Singaporeans.

“Over time, only the better-off can afford to buy them. MND and HDB therefore intend to require resale of PLH [flats] only to buyers who can meet prevailing eligibility conditions for BTO flats to around half of the 99-year lease before considering a review,” says HDB.

10-year Minimum Occupation Period

The other goal of the Prime Location Public Housing model is to strengthen owner-occupier intent. Thus, PLH flat owners must occupy their flats for at least 10 years before they can sell the flat in the open market or invest in private residential property.

In addition, renting out the entire flat will not be allowed, even after meeting the minimum occupation period. But spare bedrooms may be rented out.

Rochor BTO project

A new BTO project in Rochor will be the first to be launched under the new housing model. Located along Kelantan Road and Weld Road, the 960-unit development will consist of three- and four-room flats. It will also feature 40 units of two-room rental flats.

This project will be offered during the November 2021 BTO sales exercise.