The Business Times
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THE LEVEL GROUND

As more Singaporeans stay single, it makes sense to let them buy BTO flats when they are younger

Consider lowering the age limit from 35 to 28 and limiting singles to smaller resale flats, to better meet housing aspirations while keeping larger HDB resale flats for families

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Leslie Yee

Leslie Yee

Published Mon, Jul 21, 2025 · 12:19 PM
    • Letting local singles buy HDB BTO homes at a younger age can help in ensuring financial adequacy in their retirement years.
    • Letting local singles buy HDB BTO homes at a younger age can help in ensuring financial adequacy in their retirement years. PHOTO: YEN MENG JIIN, BT

    [SINGAPORE] For a 20-something-year-old, transiting to adulthood can be exciting. Bid farewell to years of formal schooling and start achieving financial independence by being economically productive.

    Move out from living with parents and get the freedom, excitement plus responsibility of living on one’s own. 

    Today, young adults here have many housing options. They can rent a studio condo unit or a Housing and Development Board (HDB) flat; be part of a community living in a co-living space; or rent a room in a condo home or HDB flat, perhaps with friends.

    The Level GroundHDBHousingResidentialSingapore residential propertypersonal financeDemographics

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