Govt will not build any more executive maisonettes: Khaw
PHOTO: Govt will not build any more executive maisonettes: Khaw
PUBLISHED ONOctober 15, 2012 4:00 PM
SINGAPORE - Minister for National Development Mr Khaw Boon Wan said Tuesday that the Government has no plans to build any more executive maisonettes.
This is because the current executive condominium (EC) scheme provides "a wider range of flats to cater to Singaporeans' diverse preferences", Mr Khaw said.
In a written reply to a Parliamentary question on whether the Housing and Development Board (HDB) will reconsider building executive maisonettes (EMs), said that while EMs ranged from 138 to 243 square metres, ECs have unit sizes ranging from 69 to 324 square metres.
"ECs also typically come with more unique design features than EMs, including duplexes for those looking for two-storey units similar to EMs," he said.
HDB stopped building EMs in 1995 when the EC Housing Scheme was implemented.
Mr Khaw added that new EC units are sold with initial eligibility and ownership restrictions to help keep prices affordable, and first-timer citizen families can enjoy a housing grant for the purchase of ECs.
The ECs, which will become an unrestricted private property after 10 years, thus meets the private housing aspirations of Singaporeans, the minister said.