A Guide to Prime Location Public Housing (PLH)

HDB has plans to construct new public housing in highly desirable areas such as the city center and the Greater Southern Waterfront. These housing units will be available for purchase under a fresh housing scheme known as the Prime Location Public Housing (PLH) model.

The first project to be launched under the PLH model is located at Rochor

What is PLH?

The Prime Location Public Housing (PLH) model was created with the goal of ensuring that HDB flats in prime and central areas of Singapore remain affordable, accessible, and inclusive for Singaporeans. The development of this model took into account the opinions and feedback of over 7,500 individuals, including academics and industry experts, who shared their perspectives on the model over a period of nearly one year. This extensive engagement with the public allowed for a comprehensive understanding of the community's needs and aspirations regarding public housing in prime locations. By incorporating diverse viewpoints, the PLH model aims to address the housing concerns of Singaporeans and create a housing landscape that caters to the interests of the people.

Which areas will this new public housing model apply to?

The PLH model will be implemented in specific public housing projects located in prominent and central areas such as the city center and its surroundings, including the Greater Southern Waterfront. However, it is important to note that the PLH model will not be applied to existing flats retrospectively.

What are the HDB flat types available for PLH flats?

The initial development under the Partnership Landlord Housing (PLH) model at Rochor will introduce approximately 960 units of 3-room and 4-room flats for sale. Additionally, there will be an inclusion of 40 units of 2-room rental flats in the project.

Will there be additional subsidies for prime location flats?

The prices of new PLH flats include additional subsidies on top of the existing subsidies for BTO flats, making them affordable for a wide range of Singaporeans. When PLH flat owners sell their homes, they pay a percentage of the resale price to HDB, depending on the extent of the additional subsidy received. This is to ensure fairness to other BTO flat owners who do not receive these extra subsidies. For the pilot projects, River Peaks I and II, this percentage is fixed at six percent of the higher value between the resale price or valuation. Existing grants like the Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG) of up to $80,000 continue to apply for eligible families purchasing a PLH flat.

What are the eligibility conditions for the purchase of prime location flats?

The eligibility conditions for buying prime location flats include meeting the BTO eligibility criteria for Singaporean households and the household income ceiling, currently set at $14,000. Subsequent buyers of resale PLH flats must also meet the eligibility conditions for purchasing BTO flats to maintain inclusivity and prevent the prices from rising beyond the reach of many Singaporeans.

Note:
* With or without CPF housing grants.
^ Or $21,000 if purchasing with extended/multi-generation family.

Will there be flats set aside for priority allocation under the Married Child Priority Scheme?

Will flats still be allocated for applicants under the Married Child Priority Scheme (MCPS)? Yes, they will. However, there will be adjustments made to the priority quotas for each Public Rental Housing (PLH) project. This is to ensure that Singaporeans who have family members living in different areas can also have the opportunity to reside in prime locations.

How long will I need to live in the PLH flat before I can sell it? Will I be able rent out spare bedrooms or the whole flat?

PLH (Public Rental Housing) flat owners are required to reside in their flats for a minimum of 10 years before they can sell them or invest in private residential properties, thanks to their advantageous locations and additional subsidies. This policy aims to ensure that PLH flats are available for families with genuine housing needs and to discourage speculative activities.

Although PLH flat owners are permitted to rent out spare bedrooms, they are not allowed to rent out the entire flat, even after fulfilling the Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) of 10 years. This rule is in place to maintain the purpose of PLH flats as affordable housing options for those in need.

Note:
* MOP is five years.
^ MOP is ten years.

Source: mynicehome.gov.sg