Singapore’s HDB Dance: The PLH Party is Over‑Sold
The second Build‑To‑Order (BTO) project under the “prime‑location public housing” (PLH) model has turned out to be an absolute hit. Even with the government’s back‑to‑back rules, every unit is already in the oversubscription club. As of 5 pm on Wednesday, February 23, 16 people are fighting for each four‑room flat in the mature Kallang/Whampoa block.
The Numbers – Why It’s a Hot Ticket
- For the 294 four‑room flats, 95 % of the supply is reserved for first‑timers. That means roughly 10 fresh buyers and 134 seasoned investors competing for each unit.
- The 104 three‑room flats at King George’s Heights are less contested, with 2+ first‑time buyers per unit.
- Geylang’s lone mature‑estate BTO sees 18 first‑timers per four‑room home.
- Yishun’s two non‑mature projects (Yishun Boardwalk & Grove Spring) attract about 2 first‑timers each for the larger flats and 3 for the three‑room ones.
Why the Hype? Money, Size, and Timing
Project pricing is the easiest way to explain the frenzy. Kallang/Whampoa’s four‑room units start at $488k, while the older Rochor PLH lands at $582k. That price gap, paired with a smaller supply, has made each Kallang unit a coveted find.
Lee Sze Teck, senior director of research at Huttons Asia, notes the “striking demand” may partly stem from the lower prices and scarcer supply compared to Rochor’s earlier launch.
Interestingly, the last November Rochor project, despite more units, saw 5+ first‑timers per four‑room flat but only 1 per three‑room. The high turnout shows affordability and enough space kept the crowd coming, even under strict resale rules.
This New Year’s Snapshot
- All 3,953 BTO flats launched last Thursday are oversubscribed by Wednesday.
- Applications close at 11:59 pm on the HDB portal – remember, time’s ticking!
- All allocations will be decided by balloting.
Beyond the hardfacts, a key takeaway for buyers is that the PLH’s 6 % resale clawback, 10‑year minimum occupation, and $14k monthly income cap now sit next to each unit. These conditions are your “secret sauce” – ensure love over the house, not just the numbers.
So whether you’re chasing the charming Kallang townhouse or the vibrant Yishun spot, the story is clear: the demand is sky‑high, rules are tight, and the clock is ticking. Grab your place, but remember – a dream home is worth the rush and humility, if you will. Happy hunting!
First‑Time HDB Applicants in Yishun Are in for a Treat
Pictured as a handful of hopefuls in the newest HDB beach of Singapore, Yishun is buzzing with apps more than a bakery on a Sunday. Why the surge? HDB smartly issued three times the usual ballot numbers to make sure that even if some folks were caught off guard and dropped out, the queue line would still feel like a marathon, not a sprint.
More Demand than Ever in Tengah
In the still‑young township of Tengah, the big‑room dreams are flying high. For the 517 five‑room gems in Parc Flora @ Tengah and Plantation Creek, >3 first‑time applicants tried to snag each unit. Similarly, the 570 four‑room wonders had >2 new faces eyeing a spot.
Upcoming Supply Highlights
- May:
- ~5,300 flats to roll out across Bukit Merah, Jurong West, Ghim Moh (Queenstown), Toa Payoh, and Yishun.
- March:
- Ghim Moh’s next public housing block, a fresh site that will land this year.
- August:
- Another 6,300‑6,800 units opening in Ang Mo Kio, Bukit Merah, Choa Chu Kang, Jurong East, Queenstown, and Woodlands.
Scaling Up to Meet the Boom
With demand answering the call, HDB is planning to launch up to 23,000 BTO flats each year for 2022 and 2023. That’s the kind of scaling that turns a tin‑roof village into a skyline‑harbor.
Want to Stay Ahead?
So if you’re eyeing an old HDB resale flat, remember: first‑time applicants feel the rush, but seasoned buyers have the advantage of knowledge. Keep your eye on the price trends and the footprints of previous HDB launches—the market’s not a mystery, just a bit of a puzzle.
This is a friendly reminder from the Straits Times, and yes—your dream home could be staring back at you right now.
