HDB launches nearly 4,000 BTO flats, including units in Kallang

The 3,953 units launched under the BTO exercise range from two-room flexi to five-room flats "to meet the diverse housing needs of first-timers, second-timer families, seniors and singles". Two-room flexi flats cater primarily to senior citizens but are also open to singles subject to qualifying criteria.

Of the new flats launched, HDB said: “First-timer families who are looking to move into their flats sooner can consider the flats in Yishun Boardwalk and Grove Spring@Yishun. These flats have shorter waiting times ranging from 26 to 30 months.”

At least 95 per cent of the four-room and bigger flat types in the two Yishun projects have been set aside for first-timer families, giving them a higher chance of securing flats there.

“For the six BTO projects launched in this exercise, the waiting time is generally between three and five years, similar to the BTO projects launched in the past year,” Mr Lee added.

Eligible first-timer families can benefit from the Enhanced Central Provident Fund Housing Grant of up to S$80,000, making the flats more affordable compared to transacted prices of resale flats in their vicinity, HDB said.

FLATS IN PRIME LOCATION

The project at King George’s Heights in Kallang-Whampoa will be the second one under the prime location model.

Bounded by King George’s Avenue, Syed Alwi Road and Rochor Canal, and located near Lavender MRT Station, it is about 700m or a 10-minute walk away from the first one in  that was launched in November.

King George’s Heights comprises one residential block with a 33-storey wing and another 47-storey wing. There will be a total of 104 three-room flats (indicative price range of S$353,000 to S$462,000) and 294 four-room flats (indicative price range of S$488,000 to S$675,000).

Up to 20 per cent of the flats will be set aside for first-timer families, while up to 2 per cent will be for second-timer families under the Married Child Priority Scheme.

This is two-thirds of the usual quotas, HDB said. It added that the reduced quota will provide more opportunities for Singaporeans who do not have family members living near the area to also have an opportunity to live in the estate.

The Married Child Priority Scheme gives priority in the balloting of applications if applicants choose a flat within 4km an HDB flat where the applicant's parents or married child physically occupy, or within 4km of a private property owned and physically occupied by the applicant's parents, married child or immediate family member.

As flats under the prime location model are priced with extra subsidies, owners of these flats will have to return to HDB a percentage of the resale price or valuation upon the sale of their homes, whichever is higher.

The amount to be recovered from flat buyers at King George’s Heights is fixed at 6 per cent and will apply regardless of when the flats are sold in future.

The next BTO Launch in May will see around 5,300 flats launched in towns or estates such as Bukit Merah, Jurong West, Queenstown, Toa Payoh and Yishun.

In his Facebook post, Mr Lee said that to meet the strong demand for public housing, HDB will be ramping up supply of BTO flats and will launch up to 23,000 flats annually this year and in 2023.