ALTERNATIVE HOUSING FOR HDB UPGRADES

Abstract

A brief evolution of public housing. The government started with one-room flats, extended to three- and four-room flats and later, added five-room and executive apartments. Each of these changes reflected the higher aspiration and stronger purchasing power of Singaporeans. Thus, more variety of housing is required to improve the quality of choice for our growing affluent population. As conceived under the Revised Concept Plan, there will be nearly one-third of the future population off our million living in private developments - whether high-rise or landed properties - while the percentage of HDB flat dwellers will drop from 83per cent to 70per cent. We can ensure a higher level of affordability only when adequate land is safeguarded now for development for a projected population of four million in Year X. Thus, can the average Singaporeans in the future afford an apartment, landed properties or better than those we know today? Results of the findings in this study showed that about 28% of the present HDB 4-room and above dwellers will be able to upgrade to landed properties in next 5 years. There is prospect for future landed property developments. Perhaps developers should build more innovative forms of landed properties with smaller units to cater to the growing trend of smaller households size.