Major events of this
period
Homes for AllFrom SIT to HDB
The Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) was set up in the 1920s to solve the problems of slums and housing shortage. From 1936 to 1941, the SIT built the first public housing satellite town of Tiong Bahru.Construction activity was slow until after World War II, when over 20,000 units were built between 1947 and 1959, mainly in the Alexandra and Queenstown areas. Unfortunately, SIT's effectiveness was undermined by the lack of official backing and funding, and its involvement in other projects like road construction.
The Housing and Development Board (HDB) was set up as a statutory board on February 1960. With strong government support, the HDB was able to build 700,000 flats over 35 years to house 86 per cent of the population.
The HDB became Singapore's sole public housing authority in 1982, after taking over estates previously managed by Jurong Town Corporation and the Housing and Urban Development Company (HUDC).
(ST, Feb 2, 1979)
Distinct architectural identities
90,000
HDB flats to be built over next 5 years
(ST, Dec 31, 1991)
Bigger and better flats
Home sweet home
From 1974 to 1981, six new towns were developed: Clementi, Yishun, Hougang, Jurong East and West, Tampines and Bukit Batok. Effort was also made to give each new town distinct architectural features.Improved five-room flats were introduced to meet the demand for larger flat types. This was followed by executive flats in the 1980s to meet the housing needs of the middle-income group who could not afford private property.
The HDB's new-town development in Serangoon and Bishan started in 1983/1984. These projects marked a new attempt to blend public housing developments with existing private housing estates.
The HDB also introduced the Design-and-Build Scheme in 1992 to add more variety and choice in flat design. Private companies helped to design and construct the flats.
Income ceilings
The HDB's Home Ownership Scheme was introduced in 1964. A main criteria for flat application was that the monthly income earned by the applicant's household should not exceed certain limits set by the HDB. Over the years, these income ceilings have been gradually raised:
1964 $1,000 for all flat types (2- and 3-room flats) 1970 $1,200 for all flat types 1971 Introduction of $1,500 income ceiling for 5-room flats 1979 $1,500 for 3- and 4-room flats, $2,000 for 5-room flats, $3,500 for executive flats 1982 Income ceiling for 5-room flats raised to $3,500 1985 $4,000 for all flat types 1989 $5,000 for all flat types 1991 $6,000 for all flat types 1992 $7,000 for all flat types 1994 $8,000 for all flat types Sale and resale of flats
In 1974, the HDB introduced the zoning register in which housing estates were grouped into geographical zones. Applicants were still assigned flats on a first-come-first-served basis as in the previous system, except that under the new scheme, applicants had to first select a zone from which they would be offered flats.
(ST, July 4, 1989)
New booking system
In 1989, the waiting list system was replaced by the booking system. New and resale HDB flats were allocated based on ethnic proportions to prevent the re-formation of racial enclaves. For example, the Malays had at one time preferred to live in Bedok and Tampines, while Chinese preferred Ang Mo Kio and Hougang.
Home ownership restrictions were also lifted to allow Singapore Permanent Resident families to buy resale HDB/HUDC flats.
Starting from 1991, single citizens aged 35 and above are allowed to purchase 3-room or smaller resale flats in estates outside the central area.
(ST, Aug 27, 1994)
In 1994, the balloting system was replaced by the queueing system. The balloting system was retained for matured estates. To encourage families to live closer together, the Government gave a $30,000 housing grant for buying resale flats .
Town councils and upgrading
In 1986, town councils were formed in Ang Mo Kio. The idea behind town councils is for residents to collectively manage their estates. More town councils were formed over the next few years after 1988.
(ST, Feb 4, 1993)
The Upgrading Programme was launched in 1993 to progressively spruce up the older housing estates. A new scheme was also implemented to allow owners of 3-room or smaller flats to buy an adjoining 3-room or smaller flat in the open market for conversion to a bigger flat.
(ST, March 1, 1995)
Helping the poor
For the poor
In 1994, the Government announced that it was taking a four-pronged approach to help low-income families own HDB flats. These four measures are:
- the sale of rental flats to sitting tenants;
- the sale of three-room flats purchased by HDB from the open market;
- the sale of four-room budget flats; and
- priority allocation of three- and four-room flats to HDB rental flat tenants.
Housing for the future
Flat applicants now want larger flats with better finishes and surroundings. The HDB is redeveloping estates with low density, or selected blocks which can be redeveloped with adjacent vacant land, into more intensive housing developments. The HDB is also continuing its upgrading programmes.In June 1996, the first batch of executive condominiums was launched to provide another housing option to HDB upgraders and young couples buying their first home. These flats will convert into private properties 10 years after completion.
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