Sept BTO launch merged with Nov's to let more benefit from new housing policies: Khaw

THE Ministry of National Development (MND) has decided to delay the September build-to-order (BTO) launch by a few weeks, so that three housing policies that were recently tweaked can benefit as many Singaporeans as possible, starting from the very next BTO launch.

This is after taking into account the fact the new policies require time for implementation, National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan said in his blog on Wednesday.

He had in August also mentioned this in passing to reporters in a doorstop interview at HDB Hub at Toa Payoh.

MND had originally scheduled two BTO launches for the rest of this year, in September and November.

"Looking at the timing of the November BTO launch, we decided that a practical way is to merge the two launches into one mega launch in November," Mr Khaw explained.

"This will mean a bumper crop of about 7,000 BTO flats in six HDB towns across the country: Bidadari, Bukit Batok, Choa Chu Kang, Hougang, Punggol Northshore and Sengkang.

"In addition, we are ready to market 5,000 balance flats in a concurrent Sale of Balance Flats exercise. This means a combined launch of 12,000 new flats in one go. I am sure home buyers will be able to find a flat that will suit their budget and needs."

Three major housing policies were recently tweaked to improve affordability and build flexibility into housing options for Singaporeans. These include a new Two-Room Flexi Scheme which offers shorter lease options for elderly households, an increase in the income ceiling for new HDB flat buyers, and changes to widen the eligibility criteria for Special CPF Housing Grant.