MND set to decide on cap for foreign tenants in HDB blocks
SINGAPORE: The National Development Ministry will decide soon on an appropriate cap on the percentage of flats that can be sublet to foreigners in HDB blocks, so as to maintain the Singaporean character of the heartlands.
Writing in his latest blog entry titled "Preventing Foreigner Enclaves", Minister Khaw Boon Wan said in deciding the cap, he was mindful of the need to balance the impact on those who rely on subletting for additional income, especially the elderly.
Mr Khaw said HDB has completed its analysis on the current subletting situation.
Currently, less than four per cent of HDB flats are sublet to foreigners, excluding Malaysians.
However, the proportion could go up to nine per cent in some areas, or even 18 per cent in some blocks.
In Parliament recently, MP Foo Mee Har had shared her concerns about foreigner enclaves forming in HDB estates. She suggested a 10 per cent cap on the number of flats that could be sublet to foreigners in each HDB block.
Currently, only Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents can buy HDB flats. However, foreigners can rent rooms or entire flats. There is no cap on the number of flats sublet to such foreign tenants in HDB blocks.
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Preventing Foreigner Enclaves
In Parliament, MP Foo Mee Har had shared her concerns about foreigner enclaves forming in our HDB estates. She suggested a 10% cap on the number of flats that could be sublet to foreigners in each HDB block.
Today, only Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents can buy HDB flats. But foreigners can rent rooms or entire flats. Currently, there is no cap on the number of flats sublet to such foreign tenants in HDB blocks.
I agreed with MP Foo Mee Har that we need to maintain the Singaporean character of our heartlands. In principle, MND has agreed to impose such a cap. The question is at what level.
HDB has completed its analysis on the current subletting situation. Today, less than 4% of HDB flats are sublet to foreigners, excluding Malaysians. However, the proportion could go up to 9% in some areas, or even 18% in some blocks.
We will soon decide on an appropriate cap. I am mindful of the need to balance the impact on those who rely on subletting for additional income, especially the elderly.