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[[image:logo-hdb.gif|right|thumb|HDB Logo]]The '''Housing and Development Board''' (HDB) is the government agency responsible for [[Singapore]]'s [[public housing]] programme. It is generally credited with clearing up the slums of the [[1960]]s and resettling [[squatter]]s into low-cost government-built housing.
{{Redirect|HDB}}
{{Infobox Government agency
|agency_name    = Housing and Development Board
|abbreviation    = HDB
|logo            = Logo-hdb.png
|logo_width      = 150 px
|logo_caption    = Logo of the HDB
|formed          = {{Start date|1960|02|01}}
|preceding1      = [[Singapore Improvement Trust]]
|dissolved      =
|superseding    =
|jurisdiction    = [[Government of Singapore]]
|employees      =
|budget          =
|headquarters    = HDB Hub, 480 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh, Singapore 310480
|chief1_name    = Koh Cher Siang
|chief1_position = Chairman
|chief2_name    = Cheong-Chua Koon Hean (Mrs)
|chief2_position = CEO
|parent_agency  = [[Ministry of National Development (Singapore)]]
|child1_agency  =
|website        = {{url|www.hdb.gov.sg}}
|footnotes      =
}}
[[File:HDB Hub, Aug 06.JPG|thumb|right|The HDB Hub at [[Toa Payoh]], headquarters of the Housing and Development Board of Singapore.]]
[[File:View of Toa Payoh 2009 LL.jpg|thumb|right|Night view of a HDB estate in Toa Payoh]]
[[File:BukitBatok.JPG|thumb|right|Large scale new towns are characteristic of HDB projects.]]
[[File:Sg woodlands a7 01.jpg|thumb|right||A typical HDB Estate]]
[[File:Bedok North corridor, Jan 06.JPG|thumb|right|Neighbours in an HDB block usually share a common corridor]]
[[File:HDBMulti-storey.JPG|thumb|right|Multi-storey carparks can be found at newer HDB estates in [[Singapore]]]]
[[File:IUP plus.jpg|right|thumb|Apartment block in Yishun New Town undergoing IUP Plus]]
[[File:Singapore HDB 001.jpg|thumb|right|A block of HDB flats along [[Bukit Batok]] West Avenue 5]]
[[File:JurongwestHDB.JPG|right|thumb|[[HDB]] Flats in [[Jurong West]]]]
[[File:Queenstown hdb.jpg|thumb|right|A block of HDB flats in [[Queenstown, Singapore|Queenstown]]]]
 
The '''Housing and Development Board''' ([[Abbreviation]]: '''HDB'''; [[Simplified Chinese]]: 建屋发展局; {{lang-ms|Lembaga Pembangunan dan Perumahan}}; {{lang-ta|வீடமைப்பு வளர்ச்சிக் கழகம்}}) is the [[Statutory boards of the Singapore Government|statutory board]] of the [[Ministry of National Development (Singapore)|Ministry of National Development]] responsible for [[public housing]] in [[Singapore]]. It is generally credited with clearing up the [[squatter]]s and [[slum]]s of the 1960s and resettling residents into low-cost state-built housing.<ref>[http://www.hdb.gov.sg/fi10/fi10221p.nsf/Attachment/0102AR/$file/p038-051%20QualityLiving.pdf HDB Quality Living] - Release of Survey Findings Of Residents on HDB Blockss</ref>


==History==
==History==
Shortly after being granted self-governance, [[Singapore]] faced a serious problem of housing shortages. In response, the government passed the ''Housing and Development Act of 1960'' which replaced the existing [[Singapore Improvement Trust]] with the Housing and Development Board.


Shortly after [[independence]], [[Singapore]] faced a serious problem of housing shortages. In response, the government passed the ''Housing and Development Act of 1960'' which replaced the existing [[Singapore Improvement Trust]] with the '''Housing and Development Board'''.
Led by [[Lim Kim San]], its first priority during formation was to build as many low-cost housing units as possible, and the Five-Year Plan was introduced. The housing that was initially built was mostly meant for rental by the low income group. The [[Home Ownership for the People Scheme]] was also introduced to help this group of people to buy instead of rent their flats. While the new scheme acted as a hedge against inflation, it provided the home owners financial security. Later, the people were allowed to use their [[Central Provident Fund]] money for downpayment. These efforts were however not successful enough then in convincing the people living in the squatter settlements to move into these flats. It was only later, after the [[Bukit Ho Swee Fire]], that HDB's efficiency and earnestness won the people over.
 
Led by [[Lim Kim San]], its first priority during formation was to build as many low-cost housing as possible, and Five-Year Plans were introduced. Housing initially built was mostly meant for rental by the low income group. 54,430 housing units were built between [[1960]] and [[1965]] by the HDB. Due to land constraints, high-rise and high-density [[apartment|flats]] were chosen.
 
The policies of the HDB were largely in line of the [[manifesto]] set out by the Singapore government; The government was promoting [[social cohesion]] and [[patriotism]] within the country. In 1968, citizens were allowed to use their pension fund ([[Central Provident Fund]]) to purchase and own the homes they were renting  to give them a stake of the country and as an incentive to work hard. In [[1980]], a [[quota]] was introduced to ensure that no particular [[race|racial group]] concentrated together to prevent [[racial polarisation]]. To prevent [[social class|social stratification]] that may lead to social conflict, the housing of different income groups are mixed together in [[estate]]s and [[new towns]]
 
In the [[1990s]], the HDB concentrated on the upgrading of existing older flats, installing new facilities such as [[elevator|lift]]s that stop on every floor. [[Studio apartment]]s were built specially to suit the needs of senior citizens in Singapore's growing aging society. However, some of these flats ended up being snapped up by young working singles.
 
About 80-90% of Singapore's population are currently living in HDB flats.
 
==Upgrading programmes==
 
*[[Main Upgrading Programme]] (MUP), launched in March [[1992]]
*[[Interim Upgrading Programme]] (IUP), launched in August [[1993]]
*[[Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme]] (SERS), launched in August [[1995]]
*[[Lift Upgrading Programme]] (LUP), launched [[2001]]


==Headquarters==
54,430 housing units were built between 1960 and 1965 by the HDB. Due to land constraints, high-rise and high-density [[apartment|flats]] were chosen.


HDB's [[headquarters]] were previously located at [[Bukit Merah]]. They were moved to its new premises at the HDB Hub at 480 Lorong 6 [[Toa Payoh]] on [[10 June]] [[2002]] [http://www.hdb.gov.sg/isoa031p.nsf/ImageView/AR2003/$file/hdb06.pdf].
The policies of the HDB were largely in line of the [[manifesto]] set out by the Singapore government; the government was promoting social [[cohesion]] and [[patriotism]] within the country. In 1968, citizens were allowed to use their pension fund ([[Central Provident Fund]]) to purchase and own the homes they were renting to give them a stake of the country and as an incentive to work hard. In 1980, a [[Racial quota|quota]] was introduced to ensure that no particular [[Race (classification of human beings)|racial group]] concentrated together to prevent [[sectarianism]]. To prevent [[social class|social stratification]] that may lead to social conflict, the housing of different income groups are mixed together in [[Housing estate|estates]] and [[new towns]].


==HDB Towns==
In the 1990s, the HDB concentrated on the upgrading of existing older flats, installing new facilities such as [[elevator|lift]]s that stop on every floor. [[Studio apartment]]s were built specially to suit the needs of senior citizens in Singapore's aging society. However, some of these flats were quickly bought up by young working singles.
[[Image:Singapore HDB 001.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A block of HDB flats along [[Bukit Batok West Avenue 5]]]]


*[[Ang Mo Kio#Ang Mo Kio New Town|Ang Mo Kio New Town]]
On 1 July 2003, the Building & Development Division of HDB was corporatized to form HDB Corporation Pte. Ltd. (HDBCorp in short). HDBCorp was later renamed as Surbana Corporation Pte. Ltd. HDB's [[headquarters]] were previously located at [[Bukit Merah]], were moved to their new premises at the HDB Hub at 480 Lorong 6 [[Toa Payoh]] on 10 June 2002 <ref>[http://www.hdb.gov.sg/isoa031p.nsf/ImageView/AR2003/$file/hdb06.pdf http://www.hdb.gov.sg/isoa031p.nsf/ImageView/AR2003/$file/hdb06.pdf]</ref>.
*[[Bedok#Bedok New Town|Bedok New Town]]
Some of their current departments include:-
*[[Bishan New Town]]
*HAD (Housing Administration Department)
*[[Bukit Batok New Town]]
*EAPD (Estate Administration & Property Department)
*[[Bukit Merah]]
*IPD (Industrial Properties Department)
*[[Bukit Panjang#Bukit Panjang New Town|Bukit Panjang New Town]]
*BQD (Building Quality Department)
*[[Choa Chu Kang New Town]]
*PLD (Properties & Land Department)
*[[Clementi New Town]]
*CRD (Community Relations Department)
*[[Geylang]]
*[[Hougang#Hougang New Town|Hougang New Town]]
*[[Jurong East New Town]]
*[[Jurong West New Town]]
*[[Kallang]]/[[Whampoa]]
*[[Pasir Ris New Town]]
*[[Punggol New Town]]
*[[Queenstown, Singapore|Queenstown]]
*[[Sembawang New Town]]
*[[Serangoon New Town]]
*[[Sengkang#Sengkang New Town|Sengkang New Town]]
*[[Simei#Simei New Town|Simei New Town]]
*[[Tampines New Town]]
*[[Toa Payoh#Toa Payoh New Town|Toa Payoh New Town]]
*[[Woodlands New Town]]
*[[Yishun New Town]]


==HDB Estates==
The existing Bukit Merah premises, known as Surbana One, became the headquarters for Surbana Corporation Pte. Ltd.
*[[Ayer Rajah]] [[Estate]]
*[[Braddell Heights]] [[Estate]]
*[[Brickworks]] [[Estate]]
*[[Bukit Ho Swee]] [[Estate]]
*[[Bukit Timah]] [[Estate]]
*[[Changi Village]]
*[[Marine Parade]] [[Estate]]
*[[Telok Blangah]] [[Estate]]
*[[Tiong Bahru Estate]]


== External links ==
==Flat eligibility and price==
*[http://www.hdb.gov.sg HDB Website]
More than 80% of Singapore's population live in HDB flats, with 95% of them owning their HDB flat.  There are a number of eligibility conditions in order for a flat to be purchased. A buyer must be a Singaporean [[citizenship|citizen]], or P.R. and be 21 years of age and have a family. Non-citizens and singles are not allowed to purchase new HDB flats. Other requirements concern household status, time requirements, [[income]] and other special requirements.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hdb.gov.sg/fi10/fi10201p.nsf/WPDis/Buying%20A%20New%20HDB%20Flat%20(e-Sales)Policies%20-%20Eligibility%20Conditions%20to%20Buy%20a%20flat%20from%20HDB?OpenDocument&SubMenu=Policies|title=Buying A New HDB Flat (e-Sales) - Policies - Eligibility Conditions to Buy a flat from HDB}}</ref>
* [http://dly.free.fr/site/article.php3?id_article=12 Guide to Housing & Accommodation in Singapore]
* [http://www.asinah.org/travel-guides/singapore-hdb-calculator.html HDB Buy v. Rent Calculator]


[[Category:Statutory boards of the Singapore Government]]
Ownership in public housing is limited to a 99-year lease. There are several types of public and semi-public housing available, classified on the basis of the number of rooms and size of the flat. Size is usually denoted by the terms such as ''four-room'', ''five-room'' or similar, and is based on the number of bedrooms in addition to the [[living room]] but newer five-room apartments come with only three bedrooms and a [[dining room]]. Semi-public housing like executive maisonette is governed under HUDC last time instead of HDB and have a much larger floor area. Some newer HDB developed flats in new towns include condominium-like finishes.
[[Category:Housing in Singapore]]
[[Category:Singapore government policies]]


Most of the residential housing developments in Singapore are publicly built. Thus, public housing in Singapore is not considered a sign of poverty or a lower standard of living; as compared to public housing in other developed countries where land constraint is a non-issue and property pricing is significantly cheaper. Very few people in Singapore live below the [[poverty line]].


==History==
For example, an HDB 4-room flat depending on age, environment and surrounding amenities can have a sale value of between [[Singapore dollar|S$]]200,000 to above S$300,000 and an HUDC Executive maisonette above S$500,000. However, in contrast a privately developed condominium type housing can cost as much as S$1,000,000 and above. The largest HDB flats (in terms of floor area) ever built are two-storey Executive Masionettes built in the 1990s which can have floor area ranging from 160 - 190 m².


Shortly after [[independence]], [[Singapore]] faced a serious problem of housing shortages. In response, the government passed the ''Housing and Development Act of 1960'' which replaced the existing [[Singapore Improvement Trust]] with the '''Housing and Development Board'''.
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;"
|+ '''List of average new & resale prices of Housing Development Board flats'''
!rowspan="2"|Period
!rowspan="2"|Room Type
!Internal
!New
!Resale
!rowspan="2"|Remarks
|-
!sq m (Avg)
!S$ (Avg)
!S$ (Avg)
|-
| rowspan=3 | 1970s
| 3 room
| 60
| $15,000
| -
|rowspan="3"|Construction cost-based pricing approach
|-
| 4 room
| 75
| $20,000
| -
|-
| 5 room
| 95
| $30,000
| -
|-
| rowspan=4 | 1980s sharp rise@81 <sup>(a)</sup>
| 3 room
| 65
| $50,000
| -
|rowspan="4"|Construction cost-based and<br>
land-based pricing approach
|-
| 4 room
| 90
| $80,000
| -
|-
| 5 room
| 115
| $110,000
| -
|-
| Executive
| 140
| $140,000
| -
|-
|rowspan="4"|1990s sharp rise@93 till 97
| 3 room
| 70
| $120,000
| $200,000
|rowspan="8"|Construction cost-based and<br>market land-based pricing approach
|-
| 4 room
| 95
| $170,000
| $270,000
|-
| 5 room
| 125
| $230,000
| $350,000
|-
| Executive
| 145
| $280,000
| $420,000
|-
|rowspan="4"|2000s <sup>(b)</sup>
| 3 room
| 65
| $110,000
| $150,000
|-
| 4 room
| 90
| $180,000
| $230,000
|-
| 5 room
| 110
| $240,000
| $290,000
|-
| Executive
| 130
| $300,000
| $350,000
|-
|rowspan="4"|2007s sharp rise@2008 <sup>(c)</sup>
| 3 room
| 65
| $140,000
| $200,000
|rowspan="4"|Construction cost-based and<br>market resale-based pricing approach
|-
| 4 room
| 90
| $230,000
| $300,000
|-
| 5 room
| 110
| $290,000
| $370,000
|-
| Executive
| 130
| $350,000
| $450,000
|-
|rowspan="4"|2010 <sup>(d)</sup>
| 3 room
| 65
| $291,000
|
|rowspan="4"|Median house price (including approximate transaction cost)
|-
| 4 room
| 90
| $376,300
|
|-
| 5 room
| 110
| $448,700
|
|-
| Executive
| 130
| $535,900
| 
|-
|colspan="6"|(a) Average floor sizes was increased for new flat built from year 1981.<br>(b) Average floor sizes was decreased for new flat built from year 2000 but with premium design finishing except 3-rm unit.<br>(c) Pricing increased in year 2008 are also due to rising construction cost from sand and concrete supply.<br>(d)Straits Times, 4th August 2010
|}


Led by [[Lim Kim San]], its first priority during formation was to build as many low-cost housing as possible, and Five-Year Plans were introduced. Housing initially built was mostly meant for rental by the low income group. 54,430 housing units were built between [[1960]] and [[1965]] by the HDB. Due to land constraints, high-rise and high-density [[apartment|flats]] were chosen.
===Candidacy===
Singapore maintains a quota system of ethnicities within the HDB program. There are strict requirements as to who can move into an HDB flat, based on whether they are [[Singaporean Chinese|Chinese]], [[Indian Singaporean|Indian]], [[Malay Singaporean|Malay]], or that they belong to another race. Singapore maintains that there must be a certain ratio of ethnicities within the HDB blocks, and any move-in or move-out must adhere to this policy. The HDB declares that this is to promote homogeny amongst Singapore's diverse population, in order to prevent [[racialism]] and [[racial segregation]] and preventing [[wikt:homogeneous|homogeneous]] racial blocks from forming. Critics contend that the policy is designed to ensure that ethnic Chinese are the majority in every electoral constituency and to prevent the formation of opposition districts.  


The policies of the HDB were largely in line of the [[manifesto]] set out by the Singapore government; The government was promoting [[social cohesion]] and [[patriotism]] within the country. In 1968, citizens were allowed to use their pension fund ([[Central Provident Fund]]) to purchase and own the homes they were renting  to give them a stake of the country and as an incentive to work hard. In [[1980]], a [[quota]] was introduced to ensure that no particular [[race|racial group]] concentrated together to prevent [[racial polarisation]]. To prevent [[social class|social stratification]] that may lead to social conflict, the housing of different income groups are mixed together in [[estate]]s and [[new towns]]
Other considerations for granting the application of an HDB flat include the priority given to buyers, as well as citizenship and residency requirements, based on the number of children.


In the [[1990s]], the HDB concentrated on the upgrading of existing older flats, installing new facilities such as [[elevator|lift]]s that stop on every floor. [[Studio apartment]]s were built specially to suit the needs of senior citizens in Singapore's growing aging society. However, some of these flats ended up being snapped up by young working singles.
===New flats programmes===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;"
!colspan="5"|HDB new flats programmes
|-
!Programmes
![[List of Singapore abbreviations|Abbrev]]
!Start
!End
!Remarks
|-
|Registration for Flat
|RFS
|1980s
|Feb 2002
|rowspan="3"|Any surplus units from BTOs, balance BEs or<br>HDB buy-back schemes through balloting method
|-
|[[Walk In Selection]]
|WIS
|Mar 2002
|Feb 2007
|-
|Mthly/Qtrly/Hyrly/Balance Sale
|E-Sale
|Apr 2007
| -
|-
|Balloting Exercise
|BE
|Aug 1995
| -
|Only available for initial large surplus units of [[Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme|SERS]]
|-
|[[Build-To-Order (HDB)]]
|BTO
|Apr 2001
| -
|Buying a new flat with a waiting period of 4 years
|-
|[[Design, Build and Sell Scheme]]
|DBSS
|Oct 2006
| -
|Buying a new condominium design flat build by private developer
|}


About 80-90% of Singapore's population are currently living in HDB flats.
===Upgrading programmes===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;"
!colspan="5"|HDB Upgrading programmes
|-
!Programmes
![[List of Singapore abbreviations|Abbrev]]
!Start
!End
!Remarks
|-
|[[Main Upgrading Programme]]
|MUP
|Jul 1990
| -
|rowspan="2"|Interior upgrading programmes for flats built up to 1986, and<br>HIP which have not undergone MUP, with added optional improvements
|-
|[[Home Improvement Programme]]
|HIP
|Aug 2007
| -
|-
|Interim Upgrading Programme
|IUP
|Aug 1993
|Aug 2002
|The common areas of a precinct were upgraded, landscape upgrading programmes stopped in flavour of IUP Plus
|-
|[[Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme]]
|SERS
|Aug 1995
| -
|Flats built up to 1980 which have not undergone any type of upgrading programmes
|-
|[[Lift Upgrading Programme]]
|LUP
|Sep 2001
| -
|rowspan="2"|Direct level access to lift for flats built up to 1990,<br>IUP Plus - a combination of two programmes, IUP and LUP
|-
|Interim Upgrading Programme Plus
|IUP Plus
|May 2002
| -
|-
|[[Neighbourhood Renewal Programme]]
|NRP
|Aug 2007
| - 
| This would include MUP/HIP (interior) and IUP Plus (landscape) as it focus on block and neighbourhood improvements
|}


==Upgrading programmes==
==See also==
*[[Public housing in Singapore]]
*[[Public housing precincts in Singapore]]
*[[HLM]] (France)


*[[Main Upgrading Programme]] (MUP), launched in March [[1992]]
==References==
*[[Interim Upgrading Programme]] (IUP), launched in August [[1993]]
{{reflist}}
*[[Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme]] (SERS), launched in August [[1995]]
*[[Lift Upgrading Programme]] (LUP), launched [[2001]]


==Headquarters==
==External links==
*{{Official|http://www.hdb.gov.sg Housing and Development Board}}
*[http://www.hdb.gov.sg/fi10/fi10201p.nsf/WPDis/Buying%20A%20New%20HDB%20Flat%20(e-Sales)eServices?OpenDocument&SubMenu=eServices HDB InfoWEB - Buying A New HDB Flat (eServices)]
<!-- Please do not add links to commercial websites. Such links will be removed immediately.-->


HDB's [[headquarters]] were previously located at [[Bukit Merah]]. They were moved to its new premises at the HDB Hub at 480 Lorong 6 [[Toa Payoh]] on [[10 June]] [[2002]] [http://www.hdb.gov.sg/isoa031p.nsf/ImageView/AR2003/$file/hdb06.pdf].
{{Places in Singapore}}
{{Public housing in Singapore}}


==HDB Towns==
{{DEFAULTSORT:Housing And Development Board}}
[[Image:Singapore HDB 001.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A block of HDB flats along [[Bukit Batok West Avenue 5]]]]
[[Category:1960 establishments]]
 
*[[Ang Mo Kio#Ang Mo Kio New Town|Ang Mo Kio New Town]]
*[[Bedok#Bedok New Town|Bedok New Town]]
*[[Bishan New Town]]
*[[Bukit Batok New Town]]
*[[Bukit Merah]]
*[[Bukit Panjang#Bukit Panjang New Town|Bukit Panjang New Town]]
*[[Choa Chu Kang New Town]]
*[[Clementi New Town]]
*[[Geylang]]
*[[Hougang#Hougang New Town|Hougang New Town]]
*[[Jurong East New Town]]
*[[Jurong West New Town]]
*[[Kallang]]/[[Whampoa]]
*[[Pasir Ris New Town]]
*[[Punggol New Town]]
*[[Queenstown, Singapore|Queenstown]]
*[[Sembawang New Town]]
*[[Serangoon New Town]]
*[[Sengkang#Sengkang New Town|Sengkang New Town]]
*[[Simei#Simei New Town|Simei New Town]]
*[[Tampines New Town]]
*[[Toa Payoh#Toa Payoh New Town|Toa Payoh New Town]]
*[[Woodlands New Town]]
*[[Yishun New Town]]
 
==HDB Estates==
*[[Ayer Rajah]] [[Estate]]
*[[Braddell Heights]] [[Estate]]
*[[Brickworks]] [[Estate]]
*[[Bukit Ho Swee]] [[Estate]]
*[[Bukit Timah]] [[Estate]]
*[[Changi Village]]
*[[Marine Parade]] [[Estate]]
*[[Telok Blangah]] [[Estate]]
*[[Tiong Bahru Estate]]
 
== External links ==
*[http://www.hdb.gov.sg HDB Website]
* [http://dly.free.fr/site/article.php3?id_article=12 Guide to Housing & Accommodation in Singapore]
* [http://www.asinah.org/travel-guides/singapore-hdb-calculator.html HDB Buy v. Rent Calculator]
 
[[Category:Statutory boards of the Singapore Government]]
[[Category:Housing in Singapore]]
[[Category:Housing in Singapore]]
[[Category:Singapore government policies]]
[[Category:Singapore government policies]]
 
[[Category:Singaporean architecture]]
==History==
 
Shortly after [[independence]], [[Singapore]] faced a serious problem of housing shortages. In response, the government passed the ''Housing and Development Act of 1960'' which replaced the existing [[Singapore Improvement Trust]] with the '''Housing and Development Board'''.
 
Led by [[Lim Kim San]], its first priority during formation was to build as many low-cost housing as possible, and Five-Year Plans were introduced. Housing initially built was mostly meant for rental by the low income group. 54,430 housing units were built between [[1960]] and [[1965]] by the HDB. Due to land constraints, high-rise and high-density [[apartment|flats]] were chosen.
 
The policies of the HDB were largely in line of the [[manifesto]] set out by the Singapore government; The government was promoting [[social cohesion]] and [[patriotism]] within the country. In 1968, citizens were allowed to use their pension fund ([[Central Provident Fund]]) to purchase and own the homes they were renting  to give them a stake of the country and as an incentive to work hard. In [[1980]], a [[quota]] was introduced to ensure that no particular [[race|racial group]] concentrated together to prevent [[racial polarisation]]. To prevent [[social class|social stratification]] that may lead to social conflict, the housing of different income groups are mixed together in [[estate]]s and [[new towns]]
 
In the [[1990s]], the HDB concentrated on the upgrading of existing older flats, installing new facilities such as [[elevator|lift]]s that stop on every floor. [[Studio apartment]]s were built specially to suit the needs of senior citizens in Singapore's growing aging society. However, some of these flats ended up being snapped up by young working singles.
 
About 80-90% of Singapore's population are currently living in HDB flats.
 
==Upgrading programmes==
 
*[[Main Upgrading Programme]] (MUP), launched in March [[1992]]
*[[Interim Upgrading Programme]] (IUP), launched in August [[1993]]
*[[Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme]] (SERS), launched in August [[1995]]
*[[Lift Upgrading Programme]] (LUP), launched [[2001]]
 
==Headquarters==
 
HDB's [[headquarters]] were previously located at [[Bukit Merah]]. They were moved to its new premises at the HDB Hub at 480 Lorong 6 [[Toa Payoh]] on [[10 June]] [[2002]] [http://www.hdb.gov.sg/isoa031p.nsf/ImageView/AR2003/$file/hdb06.pdf].
 
==HDB Towns==
[[Image:Singapore HDB 001.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A block of HDB flats along [[Bukit Batok West Avenue 5]]]]
 
*[[Ang Mo Kio#Ang Mo Kio New Town|Ang Mo Kio New Town]]
*[[Bedok#Bedok New Town|Bedok New Town]]
*[[Bishan New Town]]
*[[Bukit Batok New Town]]
*[[Bukit Merah]]
*[[Bukit Panjang#Bukit Panjang New Town|Bukit Panjang New Town]]
*[[Choa Chu Kang New Town]]
*[[Clementi New Town]]
*[[Geylang]]
*[[Hougang#Hougang New Town|Hougang New Town]]
*[[Jurong East New Town]]
*[[Jurong West New Town]]
*[[Kallang]]/[[Whampoa]]
*[[Pasir Ris New Town]]
*[[Punggol New Town]]
*[[Queenstown, Singapore|Queenstown]]
*[[Sembawang New Town]]
*[[Serangoon New Town]]
*[[Sengkang#Sengkang New Town|Sengkang New Town]]
*[[Simei#Simei New Town|Simei New Town]]
*[[Tampines New Town]]
*[[Toa Payoh#Toa Payoh New Town|Toa Payoh New Town]]
*[[Woodlands New Town]]
*[[Yishun New Town]]
 
==HDB Estates==
*[[Ayer Rajah]] [[Estate]]
*[[Braddell Heights]] [[Estate]]
*[[Brickworks]] [[Estate]]
*[[Bukit Ho Swee]] [[Estate]]
*[[Bukit Timah]] [[Estate]]
*[[Changi Village]]
*[[Marine Parade]] [[Estate]]
*[[Telok Blangah]] [[Estate]]
*[[Tiong Bahru Estate]]
 
== External links ==
*[http://www.hdb.gov.sg HDB Website]
* [http://dly.free.fr/site/article.php3?id_article=12 Guide to Housing & Accommodation in Singapore]
* [http://www.asinah.org/travel-guides/singapore-hdb-calculator.html HDB Buy v. Rent Calculator]
 
[[Category:Statutory boards of the Singapore Government]]
[[Category:Statutory boards of the Singapore Government]]
[[Category:Housing in Singapore]]
[[Category:Singapore government policies]]
==History==
Shortly after [[independence]], [[Singapore]] faced a serious problem of housing shortages. In response, the government passed the ''Housing and Development Act of 1960'' which replaced the existing [[Singapore Improvement Trust]] with the '''Housing and Development Board'''.
Led by [[Lim Kim San]], its first priority during formation was to build as many low-cost housing as possible, and Five-Year Plans were introduced. Housing initially built was mostly meant for rental by the low income group. 54,430 housing units were built between [[1960]] and [[1965]] by the HDB. Due to land constraints, high-rise and high-density [[apartment|flats]] were chosen.
The policies of the HDB were largely in line of the [[manifesto]] set out by the Singapore government; The government was promoting [[social cohesion]] and [[patriotism]] within the country. In 1968, citizens were allowed to use their pension fund ([[Central Provident Fund]]) to purchase and own the homes they were renting  to give them a stake of the country and as an incentive to work hard. In [[1980]], a [[quota]] was introduced to ensure that no particular [[race|racial group]] concentrated together to prevent [[racial polarisation]]. To prevent [[social class|social stratification]] that may lead to social conflict, the housing of different income groups are mixed together in [[estate]]s and [[new towns]]
In the [[1990s]], the HDB concentrated on the upgrading of existing older flats, installing new facilities such as [[elevator|lift]]s that stop on every floor. [[Studio apartment]]s were built specially to suit the needs of senior citizens in Singapore's growing aging society. However, some of these flats ended up being snapped up by young working singles.
About 80-90% of Singapore's population are currently living in HDB flats.
==Upgrading programmes==


*[[Main Upgrading Programme]] (MUP), launched in March [[1992]]
[[fr:Housing and Development Board]]
*[[Interim Upgrading Programme]] (IUP), launched in August [[1993]]
[[vi:Ủy ban nhà ở Singapore]]
*[[Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme]] (SERS), launched in August [[1995]]
[[zh:组屋]]
*[[Lift Upgrading Programme]] (LUP), launched [[2001]]
 
==Headquarters==
 
HDB's [[headquarters]] were previously located at [[Bukit Merah]]. They were moved to its new premises at the HDB Hub at 480 Lorong 6 [[Toa Payoh]] on [[10 June]] [[2002]] [http://www.hdb.gov.sg/isoa031p.nsf/ImageView/AR2003/$file/hdb06.pdf].
 
==HDB Towns==
[[Image:Singapore HDB 001.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A block of HDB flats along [[Bukit Batok West Avenue 5]]]]
 
*[[Ang Mo Kio#Ang Mo Kio New Town|Ang Mo Kio New Town]]
*[[Bedok#Bedok New Town|Bedok New Town]]
*[[Bishan New Town]]
*[[Bukit Batok New Town]]
*[[Bukit Merah]]
*[[Bukit Panjang#Bukit Panjang New Town|Bukit Panjang New Town]]
*[[Choa Chu Kang New Town]]
*[[Clementi New Town]]
*[[Geylang]]
*[[Hougang#Hougang New Town|Hougang New Town]]
*[[Jurong East New Town]]
*[[Jurong West New Town]]
*[[Kallang]]/[[Whampoa]]
*[[Pasir Ris New Town]]
*[[Punggol New Town]]
*[[Queenstown, Singapore|Queenstown]]
*[[Sembawang New Town]]
*[[Serangoon New Town]]
*[[Sengkang#Sengkang New Town|Sengkang New Town]]
*[[Simei#Simei New Town|Simei New Town]]
*[[Tampines New Town]]
*[[Toa Payoh#Toa Payoh New Town|Toa Payoh New Town]]
*[[Woodlands New Town]]
*[[Yishun New Town]]
 
==HDB Estates==
*[[Ayer Rajah]] [[Estate]]
*[[Braddell Heights]] [[Estate]]
*[[Brickworks]] [[Estate]]
*[[Bukit Ho Swee]] [[Estate]]
*[[Bukit Timah]] [[Estate]]
*[[Changi Village]]
*[[Marine Parade]] [[Estate]]
*[[Telok Blangah]] [[Estate]]
*[[Tiong Bahru Estate]]
 
== External links ==
*[http://www.hdb.gov.sg HDB Website]
* [http://dly.free.fr/site/article.php3?id_article=12 Guide to Housing & Accommodation in Singapore]
* [http://www.asinah.org/travel-guides/singapore-hdb-calculator.html HDB Buy v. Rent Calculator]
 
[[Category:Statutory boards of the Singapore Government]]
[[Category:Housing in Singapore]]
[[Category:Singapore government policies]]

Revision as of 12:57, 26 December 2010

Template:Redirect Template:Infobox Government agency

File:HDB Hub, Aug 06.JPG
The HDB Hub at Toa Payoh, headquarters of the Housing and Development Board of Singapore.
File:View of Toa Payoh 2009 LL.jpg
Night view of a HDB estate in Toa Payoh
File:BukitBatok.JPG
Large scale new towns are characteristic of HDB projects.
File:Sg woodlands a7 01.jpg
A typical HDB Estate
File:Bedok North corridor, Jan 06.JPG
Neighbours in an HDB block usually share a common corridor
File:HDBMulti-storey.JPG
Multi-storey carparks can be found at newer HDB estates in Singapore
File:IUP plus.jpg
Apartment block in Yishun New Town undergoing IUP Plus
File:Singapore HDB 001.jpg
A block of HDB flats along Bukit Batok West Avenue 5
File:JurongwestHDB.JPG
HDB Flats in Jurong West
File:Queenstown hdb.jpg
A block of HDB flats in Queenstown

The Housing and Development Board (Abbreviation: HDB; Simplified Chinese: 建屋发展局; Template:Lang-ms; Template:Lang-ta) is the statutory board of the Ministry of National Development responsible for public housing in Singapore. It is generally credited with clearing up the squatters and slums of the 1960s and resettling residents into low-cost state-built housing.[1]

History

Shortly after being granted self-governance, Singapore faced a serious problem of housing shortages. In response, the government passed the Housing and Development Act of 1960 which replaced the existing Singapore Improvement Trust with the Housing and Development Board.

Led by Lim Kim San, its first priority during formation was to build as many low-cost housing units as possible, and the Five-Year Plan was introduced. The housing that was initially built was mostly meant for rental by the low income group. The Home Ownership for the People Scheme was also introduced to help this group of people to buy instead of rent their flats. While the new scheme acted as a hedge against inflation, it provided the home owners financial security. Later, the people were allowed to use their Central Provident Fund money for downpayment. These efforts were however not successful enough then in convincing the people living in the squatter settlements to move into these flats. It was only later, after the Bukit Ho Swee Fire, that HDB's efficiency and earnestness won the people over.

54,430 housing units were built between 1960 and 1965 by the HDB. Due to land constraints, high-rise and high-density flats were chosen.

The policies of the HDB were largely in line of the manifesto set out by the Singapore government; the government was promoting social cohesion and patriotism within the country. In 1968, citizens were allowed to use their pension fund (Central Provident Fund) to purchase and own the homes they were renting to give them a stake of the country and as an incentive to work hard. In 1980, a quota was introduced to ensure that no particular racial group concentrated together to prevent sectarianism. To prevent social stratification that may lead to social conflict, the housing of different income groups are mixed together in estates and new towns.

In the 1990s, the HDB concentrated on the upgrading of existing older flats, installing new facilities such as lifts that stop on every floor. Studio apartments were built specially to suit the needs of senior citizens in Singapore's aging society. However, some of these flats were quickly bought up by young working singles.

On 1 July 2003, the Building & Development Division of HDB was corporatized to form HDB Corporation Pte. Ltd. (HDBCorp in short). HDBCorp was later renamed as Surbana Corporation Pte. Ltd. HDB's headquarters were previously located at Bukit Merah, were moved to their new premises at the HDB Hub at 480 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh on 10 June 2002 [2]. Some of their current departments include:-

  • HAD (Housing Administration Department)
  • EAPD (Estate Administration & Property Department)
  • IPD (Industrial Properties Department)
  • BQD (Building Quality Department)
  • PLD (Properties & Land Department)
  • CRD (Community Relations Department)

The existing Bukit Merah premises, known as Surbana One, became the headquarters for Surbana Corporation Pte. Ltd.

Flat eligibility and price

More than 80% of Singapore's population live in HDB flats, with 95% of them owning their HDB flat. There are a number of eligibility conditions in order for a flat to be purchased. A buyer must be a Singaporean citizen, or P.R. and be 21 years of age and have a family. Non-citizens and singles are not allowed to purchase new HDB flats. Other requirements concern household status, time requirements, income and other special requirements.[3]

Ownership in public housing is limited to a 99-year lease. There are several types of public and semi-public housing available, classified on the basis of the number of rooms and size of the flat. Size is usually denoted by the terms such as four-room, five-room or similar, and is based on the number of bedrooms in addition to the living room but newer five-room apartments come with only three bedrooms and a dining room. Semi-public housing like executive maisonette is governed under HUDC last time instead of HDB and have a much larger floor area. Some newer HDB developed flats in new towns include condominium-like finishes.

Most of the residential housing developments in Singapore are publicly built. Thus, public housing in Singapore is not considered a sign of poverty or a lower standard of living; as compared to public housing in other developed countries where land constraint is a non-issue and property pricing is significantly cheaper. Very few people in Singapore live below the poverty line.

For example, an HDB 4-room flat depending on age, environment and surrounding amenities can have a sale value of between S$200,000 to above S$300,000 and an HUDC Executive maisonette above S$500,000. However, in contrast a privately developed condominium type housing can cost as much as S$1,000,000 and above. The largest HDB flats (in terms of floor area) ever built are two-storey Executive Masionettes built in the 1990s which can have floor area ranging from 160 - 190 m².

List of average new & resale prices of Housing Development Board flats
Period Room Type Internal New Resale Remarks
sq m (Avg) S$ (Avg) S$ (Avg)
1970s 3 room 60 $15,000 - Construction cost-based pricing approach
4 room 75 $20,000 -
5 room 95 $30,000 -
1980s sharp rise@81 (a) 3 room 65 $50,000 - Construction cost-based and

land-based pricing approach

4 room 90 $80,000 -
5 room 115 $110,000 -
Executive 140 $140,000 -
1990s sharp rise@93 till 97 3 room 70 $120,000 $200,000 Construction cost-based and
market land-based pricing approach
4 room 95 $170,000 $270,000
5 room 125 $230,000 $350,000
Executive 145 $280,000 $420,000
2000s (b) 3 room 65 $110,000 $150,000
4 room 90 $180,000 $230,000
5 room 110 $240,000 $290,000
Executive 130 $300,000 $350,000
2007s sharp rise@2008 (c) 3 room 65 $140,000 $200,000 Construction cost-based and
market resale-based pricing approach
4 room 90 $230,000 $300,000
5 room 110 $290,000 $370,000
Executive 130 $350,000 $450,000
2010 (d) 3 room 65 $291,000 Median house price (including approximate transaction cost)
4 room 90 $376,300
5 room 110 $448,700
Executive 130 $535,900
(a) Average floor sizes was increased for new flat built from year 1981.
(b) Average floor sizes was decreased for new flat built from year 2000 but with premium design finishing except 3-rm unit.
(c) Pricing increased in year 2008 are also due to rising construction cost from sand and concrete supply.
(d)Straits Times, 4th August 2010

Candidacy

Singapore maintains a quota system of ethnicities within the HDB program. There are strict requirements as to who can move into an HDB flat, based on whether they are Chinese, Indian, Malay, or that they belong to another race. Singapore maintains that there must be a certain ratio of ethnicities within the HDB blocks, and any move-in or move-out must adhere to this policy. The HDB declares that this is to promote homogeny amongst Singapore's diverse population, in order to prevent racialism and racial segregation and preventing homogeneous racial blocks from forming. Critics contend that the policy is designed to ensure that ethnic Chinese are the majority in every electoral constituency and to prevent the formation of opposition districts.

Other considerations for granting the application of an HDB flat include the priority given to buyers, as well as citizenship and residency requirements, based on the number of children.

New flats programmes

HDB new flats programmes
Programmes Abbrev Start End Remarks
Registration for Flat RFS 1980s Feb 2002 Any surplus units from BTOs, balance BEs or
HDB buy-back schemes through balloting method
Walk In Selection WIS Mar 2002 Feb 2007
Mthly/Qtrly/Hyrly/Balance Sale E-Sale Apr 2007 -
Balloting Exercise BE Aug 1995 - Only available for initial large surplus units of SERS
Build-To-Order (HDB) BTO Apr 2001 - Buying a new flat with a waiting period of 4 years
Design, Build and Sell Scheme DBSS Oct 2006 - Buying a new condominium design flat build by private developer

Upgrading programmes

HDB Upgrading programmes
Programmes Abbrev Start End Remarks
Main Upgrading Programme MUP Jul 1990 - Interior upgrading programmes for flats built up to 1986, and
HIP which have not undergone MUP, with added optional improvements
Home Improvement Programme HIP Aug 2007 -
Interim Upgrading Programme IUP Aug 1993 Aug 2002 The common areas of a precinct were upgraded, landscape upgrading programmes stopped in flavour of IUP Plus
Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme SERS Aug 1995 - Flats built up to 1980 which have not undergone any type of upgrading programmes
Lift Upgrading Programme LUP Sep 2001 - Direct level access to lift for flats built up to 1990,
IUP Plus - a combination of two programmes, IUP and LUP
Interim Upgrading Programme Plus IUP Plus May 2002 -
Neighbourhood Renewal Programme NRP Aug 2007 - This would include MUP/HIP (interior) and IUP Plus (landscape) as it focus on block and neighbourhood improvements

See also

References

Template:Reflist

External links

Template:Places in Singapore Template:Public housing in Singapore

fr:Housing and Development Board vi:Ủy ban nhà ở Singapore zh:组屋

  1. ↑ HDB Quality Living - Release of Survey Findings Of Residents on HDB Blockss
  2. ↑ http://www.hdb.gov.sg/isoa031p.nsf/ImageView/AR2003/$file/hdb06.pdf
  3. ↑ Template:Cite web
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