09-03-2013, 10:47 AM
The Straits Times
www.straitstimes.com
Published on Mar 09, 2013
BUDGET DEBATE
More flats set aside for divorcees, downgraders
Quota of smaller flats in non-mature estates doubled for second-timers
By Janice Heng
TWO groups are going to find it easier to get a new Build-to-Order flat from May: those who are downgrading and divorcees applying a second time to buy a flat from the HDB.
This follows a doubling in the quota of two-room and three-room flats in non-mature estates for the second-timers, from 15 per cent to 30 per cent.
In announcing the move yesterday, Minister for National Development Khaw Boon Wan said: "This will help second-timers needing to downgrade."
Of the quota, 5 percentage points will be reserved for divorcees or the widowed who have children younger than 16.
This will "almost guarantee" that they will be able to choose a two-room flat and "significantly increase" the chances of those who apply for a three-room flat, said Mr Khaw.
From this month, divorcees will also be allowed to get a flat more quickly.
They can apply for or own two separate subsidised flats three years after their divorce instead of having to wait five years.
The time bar does not apply if they are buying a new flat with a new spouse or their parents.
"This will help them move on with their lives, especially those with children," said the minister.
The move, he said, is in line with a suggestion from Mr Edwin Tong (Moulmein-Kallang GRC).
Mr Tong had earlier asked if the ministry could look at giving priority to divorced parents with custody of the children, either in the purchase or rental of flats, as "this is a very vulnerable group of persons".
The ministry yesterday announced another tweak to make it easier for divorcees.
From now, if one of them wants to buy a subsidised flat during the debarment period, he or she does not need to get the ex-spouse's permission as long as the buyer has legal custody of all the children, who must be younger than 18 at the time of the divorce.
Previously, the requirement was that the children must be younger than 16.
The changes come against a backdrop of a growing number of applications from second-timers that the Government has been trying to tackle.
Mr Khaw said the second-timer numbers doubled in the last two years to 30,000 in 2012.
As a result, the Government tripled the quota of BTO flats for them in non-mature estates last March to the current 15 per cent.
The move reduced the application rates "significantly" to about 10 applicants per unit, he added.
janiceh@sph.com.sg
www.straitstimes.com
Published on Mar 09, 2013
BUDGET DEBATE
More flats set aside for divorcees, downgraders
Quota of smaller flats in non-mature estates doubled for second-timers
By Janice Heng
TWO groups are going to find it easier to get a new Build-to-Order flat from May: those who are downgrading and divorcees applying a second time to buy a flat from the HDB.
This follows a doubling in the quota of two-room and three-room flats in non-mature estates for the second-timers, from 15 per cent to 30 per cent.
In announcing the move yesterday, Minister for National Development Khaw Boon Wan said: "This will help second-timers needing to downgrade."
Of the quota, 5 percentage points will be reserved for divorcees or the widowed who have children younger than 16.
This will "almost guarantee" that they will be able to choose a two-room flat and "significantly increase" the chances of those who apply for a three-room flat, said Mr Khaw.
From this month, divorcees will also be allowed to get a flat more quickly.
They can apply for or own two separate subsidised flats three years after their divorce instead of having to wait five years.
The time bar does not apply if they are buying a new flat with a new spouse or their parents.
"This will help them move on with their lives, especially those with children," said the minister.
The move, he said, is in line with a suggestion from Mr Edwin Tong (Moulmein-Kallang GRC).
Mr Tong had earlier asked if the ministry could look at giving priority to divorced parents with custody of the children, either in the purchase or rental of flats, as "this is a very vulnerable group of persons".
The ministry yesterday announced another tweak to make it easier for divorcees.
From now, if one of them wants to buy a subsidised flat during the debarment period, he or she does not need to get the ex-spouse's permission as long as the buyer has legal custody of all the children, who must be younger than 18 at the time of the divorce.
Previously, the requirement was that the children must be younger than 16.
The changes come against a backdrop of a growing number of applications from second-timers that the Government has been trying to tackle.
Mr Khaw said the second-timer numbers doubled in the last two years to 30,000 in 2012.
As a result, the Government tripled the quota of BTO flats for them in non-mature estates last March to the current 15 per cent.
The move reduced the application rates "significantly" to about 10 applicants per unit, he added.
janiceh@sph.com.sg