By S Ramesh |Posted: 05 February 2013 1415 hrs
SINGAPORE: National Development Minister Khaw Boon
Wan said the core principle behind the pricing of new HDB flats
remains affordability.
Replying to questions in Parliament on Tuesday, he said the prices
of new HDB flats are set based on the typical household income of
families, the market price of similar resale flats in the vicinity,
and the flat size and location.
Mr Khaw said HDB applies a substantial price discount to ensure
that the new flats will be affordable and to give eligible
first-time home buyers a leg up, the government provides them with
significant housing grants of up to S$60,000.
He said in this way first-timers who buy new flats in non-mature
estates will find them affordable.
MP for Nee Soon GRC Lee Bee Wah asked in Parliament: "If I heard
correctly just now, minister mentioned that the resale price of the
flats in the vicinity is taken into consideration. I thought
recently minister mentioned the price of new BTO flat has just been
de-linked from the resale price?"
Mr Khaw said: "The member has not heard wrongly. Both statements
are correct. We take into account those factors, and we apply a
discount, and then further we give extra grants to the members. But
in recent months because when I de-linked - the meaning of
de-linking means, I vary the discounts, so that the prices can
maintain, steady."
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