EVALUATION OF HDB'S HOUSING ALLOCATION SYSTEMS - WITH A SPECIAL REFERENCE TO BUILD-TO-ORDER SYSTEM

Abstract

Since the founding of Singapore in 1819, there was rapid population increase from 1819 to 1926. However, during this period, there was no official attempt to tackle the housing problem. From 1927 to 1959, Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) was entrusted to solve the housing problem but it failed miserably. In 1960, Housing and Development Board (HDB) was established and serious effort was put in to solve the housing problem. Today, nearly 85% of the population live in public housing. In order to meet the needs of the people, it is important that HDB can allocate the flats efficiently and equitably. Thus, several changes have been made to the allocation systems. In this dissertation, a critical evaluation of all allocation systems is carried out to determine their strengths and weaknesses. Past systems i.e. Points System (PS), Waiting List / Queuing System (QS), Booking System (BS), Revised Booking System (RBS), Registration for Flat System (RFS) and current system, Build-to-Order System (BTO) will be analysed. A comparison between RFS and BTO and recommendations to improve BTO through the assessment of survey conducted will be included. Other trends and their implications that will have a great impact on the allocation system are also highlighted at the end of the dissertation.