HDB launches record 8,952 flats in November

SINGAPORE - The Housing Board (HDB) has launched a record 8,952 flats in mature and non-mature towns for the November Build-To-Order (BTO) and Sale of Balance Flats (SBF) exercise.

Out of these, 4,978 are BTO flats in over 6 projects across 5 non-mature towns including Bukit Batok, Hougang, Jurong West, Sembawang and Woodlands.

With first-timer grants, 2-room, 3-room, 4-room and 5-room flats will cost a minimum of $15,000, $106,000, $201,000 and $297,000 respectively

This is HDB's largest joint BTO and SBF exercise so far, and brings the total BTO flat supply for this year to 25,139 units.

HDB said earlier this year that it would launch 25,000 BTO flats for sale by the end of the year.

In total, the board has offered a total of 33,568 flats for sale in 2013.

First-time buyers will enjoy priority flat allocation with at least 85 per cent of the 4-room and 5-room flats offered, and 70 per cent of the 2-room and 3-room BTO units on sale.

Eligible singles can opt to buy a 2-room flat in Admiralty Grove or West Ridges @ Bukit Batok.

Applicants with at least a married/courting couple and their parents listed in the application will also be eligible to purchase 3Gen flats in Boon Lay View.

The Multi-Generation Priority Scheme (MGPS) will allow parents and married children to apply jointly for flats in the same BTO projects at Admiralty Grove, Hougang Meadow, Boon Lay View and West Ridges @ Bukit Batok.

Up to 50 per cent of the SA supply in Hougang Meadow will be reserved for eligible elderly applicants under the Studio Apartment Priority Scheme (SAPS), HDB said in a statement.

Eligible first-timer households may receive up to $60,000 of housing grants, comprising the Additional CPF Housing Grant (up to $40,000) and Special CPF Housing Grant (up to $20,000).

3,974 sale-of-balance flats launched

A total of 3,974 balance flats in 11 non-mature and 13 mature towns/estates have also been launced under the November SBF Exercise.

Of these, 502 are SAs, 405 are 2-room units and 818 are 3-room units, 1,644 are 4-room units, 595 are 5-room units and 10 are executive flats.

Flats offered under the SBF Exercise are reserved for families, HDB said.

At least 95 per cent of the supply of balance flats (excluding SAs) will be set aside for first-time buyers. A total of 50 per cent of the SAs will also be set aside for eligible elderly flat applicants under the SAPS.

About 14 per cent of the SBFs on sale are completed projects, while the rest are under construction.

Applications open till Dec 2

HDB said in a statement on Tuesday that applicants who apply for a BTO flat in non-mature towns/ estates have a higher chance of securing a flat.

Applicants are advised to check the HDB website for updates before submitting their application.

Applications for new flats can be submitted online from now till December 2.

HDB will offer about 3,150 BTO flats in Bukit Batok, Jurong West, Punggol, Serangoon and Woodlands in January.

ljessica@sph.com.sg