Fresh Start Housing Scheme Open for Application
Combining grants, social support and personal responsibility may enable more rental households to enter homeownership, potentially increasing demand for 2-room Flexi BTO and SBF flats.
The Fresh Start Housing Scheme opened on 1 Dec 2016, helping eligible second-timer public-rental families with young children purchase 2-room Flexi flats.
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The Fresh Start Housing Scheme is open for applications from 1 Dec 2016. Mr Lawrence Wong, Minister for National Development and 2nd Minister for Finance, has also appointed a Fresh Start Advisory Committee, chaired by Dr Mohamad Maliki Osman, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Defence & Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to support outreach effort and provide guidance on implementation of the scheme.
Launch of the Fresh Start Housing Scheme
Minister Lawrence Wong announced details of the Fresh Start Housing Scheme at the 2016 Committee of Supply debate. The scheme takes a targeted approach to help second-timer1 public rental families with young children own a 2-room Flexi flat so that they can start afresh in a new home. The scheme integrates financial assistance, such as the new Fresh Start Housing Grant, with personal responsibility and social support. The eligibility criteria and scheme features can be found at Annex A.
Application Process
Interested families need to apply and be emplaced on the Fresh Start Housing Scheme before they can proceed to apply for a 2-room Flexi flat in HDB’s sales exercises.
a) Application for Scheme. Interested families may submit an online application through the HDB InfoWEB using the registered tenants’ Singpass. Those who need assistance may approach any HDB Branch or visit the HDB Hub to submit their applications. Applicants will also need to submit supporting documents to HDB and the Ministry of Social and Family (MSF). MSF may arrange for an interview before confirming emplacement.
b) Application for Flat. Families on the Fresh Start scheme may apply for a flat in any of HDB’s Build-To-Order (BTO) or Sale of Balance Flats (SBF) exercises within 1 year of being emplaced on the scheme. They may apply during the flat application period via the HDB InfoWEB.
The approximate timeline, from scheme application to key collection is shown at Annex B.
Formation of the Fresh Start Advisory Committee
Minister Lawrence Wong has appointed a Fresh Start Advisory Committee to support outreach to public rental families who may be eligible for the Fresh Start Housing Scheme, and provide guidance on implementation of the scheme.
SMS Dr Mohamad Maliki Osman will chair the committee. He was Minister of State in the Ministry of National Development when the scheme was initiated and his experience will help to ensure its smooth implementation. The committee also includes members who possess invaluable insights through their deep involvement in work in the social sector. The full list of members is at Annex C.