PUBLISHED ONAugust 26, 2026 11:30 PMBYSean LerThe Ministry of National Development (MND) will continue to "build more and build faster" to ensure an adequate supply of new flats to meet the expected increase in demand for BTO flats and executive condominiums.
This comes after income ceilings were revised to a higher limit of $16,000 and $18,000 respectively, said Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat.
Raising the income ceiling, and giving more balloting chances for first-time families who are expecting, or who have children, are possible only when Singapore has an adequate supply of new flats, Chee told CNA's Singapore Tonight on Tuesday (Aug 25).
He was responding to comments from property experts, who felt that higher income ceilings could drive up demand, making it harder to secure choice flats.
Explaining how the Government was able to do so, Chee said MND had taken the approach of building more and building faster when Desmond Lee was National Development Minister between 2020 and 2025.
This continued when he took over the portfolio after the 2025 General Election, allowing the Government to meet the housing aspirations of more Singaporeans.
In a Facebook post on Aug 24, Chee had said that the increased income ceiling is intended to keep pace with income growth, ensuring that eight in 10 Singaporean households can continue to qualify for subsidised public housing.
Income ceilings were last revised to $14,000 for couples and families, and $7,000 for singles in September 2019.
On the second move to give more balloting chances for first-time families who are expecting, or who have children, the minister said this is intended to support young families and give parents and couples who want children greater assurance of securing a flat.
Christine Sun, chief researcher and strategist of Realion, said in a commentary after the National Day Rally on Aug 23 that the income ceiling review is timely as previous revisions had occurred approximately every four years — 2011, 2015 and 2019.
She noted that the current revisions are not excessive, as previous income ceiling revisions were similarly in increments of $2,000 for families and couples, and $1,000 for singles.
Sun also expects the prices of HDB resale flats to stabilise further in the upcoming months as many first-time buyers are likely to prioritise BTO flats following the income ceiling revision and the "substantially lower" prices of BTO flats.
This, coupled with the roughly 13,484 units of flats reaching their minimum occupation period in 2026, 18,939 units in 2027, and 21,393 units in 2028, means that there will be more resale supply, she said.
The national development minister also acknowledged concerns about other groups of buyers with the additional priority given to families with children.
"I want to assure our other groups of buyers — our singles and also our seniors — that the Government will continue to build flats for you too," he said.
Chee pointed to how singles have been able to apply for two-room Flexi BTO flats across Singapore since 2024.
And since 2025, singles can qualify for priority under the Family Care Scheme if they choose to live with or near their parents.
He also reiterated that the Government is reviewing the eligibility age for singles to be able to buy BTO flats, currently set at 35 years.
"We're seeing how we can reduce that age for singles. We're also studying — (for) singles who want to buy a larger flat together with their family members for mutual care and support — how we can allow them to do so," he said.
Rounding up the interview, the minister said that to meet the housing aspirations of Singaporeans, MND must continue to have a robust supply of new flats, adding that this includes in mature estates, where children who have grown up may want to stay near their parents.
He said that this is not an easy task given the limited land in Singapore.
"So, in some places, after exhausting all the available sites — the brownfield sites — we then have to go in to look at some of the sites that have greenery and heritage value," he added.
Chee said this will be done with the approach of trying to preserve as much of the greenery and heritage after conducting an impact assessment.
"We also want to make sure that we are able to develop so that we can meet the housing needs and aspirations of Singaporeans — strike a balance," he added.
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