Remove the income ceiling for first-time HDB BTO buyers.
That was the proposal by Ang Mo Kio GRC Member of Parliament Gan Thiam Poh in his speech in parliament today.
Right now, the income ceiling for the purchase of new BTO flats is S$14,000. It was raised from S$12,000 in 2019.
Gan said that some young couples had shared with him how frustrated they were at not qualifying for the loans as their salaries had increased beyond the income cap.
Gan talked about every Singaporean having a chance to get their own BTO flat if they so desire.
He also called BTO flats an integral part of the Singapore Dream.
While Gan acknowledges these couples can afford resale flats and private apartments, he stressed that they would prefer BTOs.
This is due to less job security and the general market uncertainty going around.
Gan also suggested HDB build more four and five room flats, which he says have become more popular among young families, often being their first pick. More space is of course a plus for the new working arrangements many are currently undertaking.
Gan also said that the working-from-home situation requires a rethink of flats.
Flats have to be re-designed and enlarged to be relevant and useful.
HDB had often cited land constraints as a limiting factor but Gan suggested building upwards.
In other ways the Government could help the sandwich class, Gan suggested free childcare for children under seven, before they enter Primary School.
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Image from HDB and Gan's Facebook