(i) Supply set aside for First-timers
HDB safeguards at least 95% of the flats available for public application for the First-timer applicants who generally have more urgent housing needs than second timers.
Under the Sale of Balance Flats, where the number of units offered for public application is less than 10 units, all flats will be set aside for allocation to first-timer applicants. Second-timers will be invited to select if there are still balance flats for selection after all the first-timers have been invited to select these flats.
(ii) Higher Chances in the Ballot
First-timer applicants are given 2 chances in the shortlisting of their applications, as compared to a Second-timer applicant, who will get one chance. In addition, First-timer applicants applying under the Married Child Priority Scheme (MCPS) will receive 2 more chances as compared to First-timer applicants, i.e. total of 4 chances. Please see illustration below:
|
Second-Timer | 1 |
First-Timer | 2 |
Married Child Priority Scheme (Second-Timer) | 2 |
Married Child Priority Scheme (First-Timer) | 4 |
Although First-timers have higher chances, we cannot guarantee a 100% success for all First-Timers, especially when there is overwheming demand for the flats. Hence, it would not be possible for all First-Timers to be balloted with small queue numbers.
(iii) Additional Chances for Unsuccessful Attempts
First-timer applicants who are not successful for 2 or more times in the application for a flat under the BTO in non-mature estates, will be given an additional chance for each subsequent unsuccessful attempt when they apply for a flat under the BTO in non-mature estates.
Example
For example, a First-timer applicant on his 3rd attempt would receive 3 (i.e. 2 plus 1) chances and 4 (i.e. 2 + 2) on his 4th attempt and so forth. Please see illustration below:
|
|
0 to 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
2 | 1 | 2+1 | 4+1 |
3 | 2 | 2+2 | 4+2 |
4 | 3 | 2+3 | 4+3 |
In computing the number of unsuccessful attempts, only applications where the applicant is not invited to select a flat under the BTO in non-mature estates will be considered.
Unsuccessful attempts under the Sale of Balance Flats and BTO for mature estates are not considered as the supply of flats is limited.
Important Information
(i) First-timers who are invited to select a flat but fail to book a unit for whatever reasons, all their previous unsuccessful attempts will be discounted (i.e. his records will be set to zero).
(ii) To manage the growing trend of repeated non-selection of flat by First-timers, First-Timer applicants who reject 2 chances to select a flat will have their First-Timer priorities removed for a period of one year. If they apply for a flat in any HDB sales exercise within that one-year period, they would no longer enjoy the above priorities for First-Timers.
Press Release: HDB REFINES ITS FLAT APPLICATION PROCESS TO ADDRESS REPEATED NON-SELECTION OF NEW HDB FLATS dated 22 May 2008
The developers will set aside 95% of the supply for first-timers during the initial launch period.