Video: Chee Hong Tat on Government's plans for HDB housing for singles

[groyn88]

When asked by the host of the Gov.SG podcast in late September 2026 about the Government's plans for public housing for singles, since during PM Wong's National Day Rally speech, they were sidelined by the emphasis on families, Minister of National Development Chee Hong Tat, replied that it was considering lowering the eligibility age for singles and also looking at how it can enhance the options for singles who may want to live with their family members and apply for a flat together.

Transcript:

Host (Ahmad Khan): When it was first announced that Minister was coming on the podcast, I told my friends about it because I was excited. I thought, "Wow, a Minister is coming, and I get to talk to him!" They said, "You'd better ask the Minister. They are all singles!" They pointed out that the National Day Rally (NDR) announcements never really talk about singles. Instead, they tend to focus on families and all that.

I remember personally watching the NDR when Prime Minister Lawrence Wong alluded to singles, and after that...

Minister Chee Hong Tat: He gave assurance.

Host: Yeah, that's right. The camera panned to you, and you clapped, like kena arrow. So, I thought I'd start from there. I know you've said that it's akan datang also, but perhaps you could share some insight into why families come first and singles come second, and how you intend to strike the right balance between the two.

Minister Chee: For singles, we may not have made any announcements this time around, but as the Prime Minister said, we have not forgotten our seniors, singles, and many other groups of Singaporeans.

For singles, we have made some changes over the years to address some of their concerns. For example, previously, before 2024, singles could only apply for BTO flats in non-mature estates. So, if you wanted to apply for a flat in Toa Payoh or Bishan, you couldn't. However, since 2024, that restriction has been removed. Singles can now apply for flats in estates islandwide, including all estates.

I've also mentioned that we'll be looking at lowering the eligibility age for singles, which is currently 35. We're considering whether we can allow singles to apply for flats at an earlier age. So, that's one initiative.

The second initiative is that we're also looking at how we can enhance the options for singles who may want to live with their family members and apply for a flat together. They may need a bigger flat, so we're considering whether we can allow them to apply for larger flats, rather than limiting them to two-room Flexi flats. These are some of the schemes and enhancements that we're looking at.

However, whether it's increasing the income threshold, which we've already done, or lowering the eligibility age for singles, it's important that we have an adequate housing supply. When we make these changes, demand will increase because more people will become eligible. And when that happens, we're likely to see higher application rates. I want to implement these changes earlier, if possible, so that more people can benefit. But, as I said, I need to make sure that we have an adequate housing supply first.
Links:

https://the-singapore-lgbt-encyclopaedia.fandom.com/wiki/Public_housing_for_LGBT_Singaporeans

Edited October 1 by groyn88

[Levis]

Being a "single" citizen has never been a privilege when it comes to public housing.

 

I recall my aunty, who is also a single, had to resort to ways to circumvent the family nucleus requirements in order to get her flat decades ago. But the point is SG govt has never (and IMHO, will never) prioritised singles in public housing policies.

 

Minister Chee brought up that the restrictions on Singles have been lifted over time to show that Singles are always on their mind but they just have to always prioritise families. But it's also interesting to note that the timings of some of these restrictions lifting are oddly aligned with economic downturns, public housing oversupplies and GEs. There's always a lingering suspicion that Singles are just used as the last resort to soak up the excess flat supplies or to prop up economy.

 

Bottomline is - don't overly hinge on SG govt will put Singles' interests at a high priority because it's clear over time that it has never been and will never be unless population make up drastically change in a short time and Singles somewhat become a large minority. Or if you are lucky, you may pick up some housing benefits when SG govt releases some relaxation but they are usually highly targeted to achieve their political aims. No matter what, always make plans for yourself. As the Chinese folks say, 靠山山倒 靠人人老 靠自己最好.

[jolterxtreme]

the thing is there is way too many problematic households.. and govt interpretation of families or to push TFR is impose on beneficial communities lower income groups.. they hold no values in societies except taking lower entry jobs and create poverty cycles and repeat.. and keep the govt in power by depending on handouts.. they also have religious and cultural beliefs to support the poverty cycle.