Points and priority for HDB flat allocation

These three essays received the most votes for May 6's Thought Leadership Question (after a public voting period that ended at midnight, May 15): "What new ideas do you have on how HDB flats should be allocated in Singapore?"

Follow a points system

I feel that it is worth learning from and perhaps adapting the method that the Birmingham City Council (BCC) uses in housing allocation to the Singapore context.

One of the key issues raised in Singapore is fairness in housing allocation. BCC's method incorporates the use of a points system, which reflects the people's different levels of need for housing.

After a person applies for a housing register, which is a list of people who have applied for council housing, and the BCC decides that individual is eligible for the register, the BCC looks at how urgently the individual requires a home.

Each type of need is allocated a different number of points. For example, if an individual needs a house due to issues pertaining to welfare or the current living conditions being unsatisfactory, he or she gets a certain number of points for each. The higher the points, the greater the need for the home.

As such, by tying housing need to a concrete points system, HDB will be better able to understand what situation the citizens are in and how great their need is. In Singapore, we can come up with our own points system to address the different needs relevant to our country.

Sai Saileshwari, 18, JC1, Yishun Junior College, 624 votes

Priority for the low-income

Low-income families should have priority in housing allocation. Singapore's high income per capita might give the illusion of wealthy citizens, but drastic income inequality draws the curtains on this facade, illustrating that there are poorer citizens who need such subsidies.

Parents living with adult children in smaller flats should be allocated larger flats, so that their children need not worry about securing another house for themselves and their future spouses because of a lack of space.

This encourages families to live together under the same roof. This nurtures family bonds, leading to more harmonious family lives.

With their parents just a door away to look after their offspring, the couples' minds are at ease that their children are in good hands, and they might give birth to more, augmenting government efforts in raising birth rates.

Lim Miao Ling, 17, JC1, Nanyang Junior College, 528 votes

Adopt priority system

An "aggregate priority score" to indicate the priority level of HDB buyers can be generated. Determinants for such a score include the applicant's income, proximity to parents' house, and other new factors as suggested below. This serves to more accurately reflect a buyer's need to buy a flat.

For new HDB blocks available for application, HDB could indicate the expected cut-off priority score so that applicants can gauge whether they should apply elsewhere.

A family-size allocation system, where the size of flats can be matched against the expected number of occupants, can be adopted. For example, a fiance- fiancee application for a two or three-room flat will have a higher priority over another couple who apply for a bigger flat. This ensures that more HDB buyers' needs of having a roof over their heads are met.

Due to the adoption of a priority score, the income limit rule can now be abolished. Nevertheless, the priority-score system would ensure it is not done at the expense of the lower-income citizens. We may prioritise for allocation purpose, but we should not deny the rights of any Singaporean to buy an HDB flat.

Lee Geng Yu, 16, JC1, Temasek Junior College, 306 votes

Vote your favourite essays to print at Singapolitics.sg. Remember, the top three win $200 book vouchers.

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