Singapore to raise 2-room flats quota for singles

Singapore government will launch 4,000 two-room flats this year and will raise the quota for singles to 50 percent, according to National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan's announcement on Tuesday.

To address the pent-up demand, Khaw announced several new housing measures. He said the quota for singles will be raised to 50 percent when the next Build-to-Order (BTO) exercise starts in May.

He also gave a review of the Studio Apartment Scheme, which had been introduced to allow seniors a smaller flat option with a 30- year lease in 1998.

With two-room flats being offered with a 99-year lease by the Housing Development Board (HDB) now, Khaw said the suggestion to offer varying leases for two-room flats could better align both schemes as well as satisfying varying needs.

He also said the HDB is studying whether more help can be given to those who want to buy a resale flat near their parents, as these couples have moved away from their parents earlier, but would like to move back closer after having children, or when their parents need more care.