Govt mulls allowing some couples to co-rent larger PPHS flats

SINGAPORE: The government is considering allowing some couples to co-rent larger flats under the Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS), National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan said.

He said more than 900 of the 1,150 PPHS flats have been taken up, but there are still some larger flats available.

He added the number of applications per month peaked at 409 last September but has since dropped to 81.

Mr Khaw was responding to a parliamentary question from Hougang SMC MP Png Eng Huat, on whether the National Development Ministry would consider lowering rental rates to encourage take-up for the bigger flat types.

Mr Khaw said PPHS rents are 40 to 60 per cent lower than market rents in the vicinity.

He added the cost of providing PPHS flats includes retrofitting them before they are rented out, as well as maintenance costs.

PPHS was extended to all married and fiancé-fiancée couples who booked uncompleted Build-To-Order flats last year.

Separately, Mr Khaw said the ministry does give priority to families with children in their new flat applications.

This is done through the Third Child Priority Scheme and the Parenthood Priority Scheme.

Mr Khaw said: “Under both schemes, a fixed quota of flats is set aside for these families. This ensures a better chance of success, as compared to giving them more ballot chances.

“HDB also does not restrict the priority given to families with children to only four-room or larger flats. This is to allow them to choose the flat type that best suits their budgets and needs.”