As the Housing Board tapers off its ramped-up supply of public housing from next year, it will build more 2-room flats and "a steady stream" of studio apartments, but will cut down the supply of 3-room, 4-room and 5-room flats.
Minister for National Development Khaw Boon Wan made the announcement on the Ministry's blog on Monday, sharing some figures on how Build-To-Order application rates have fallen.
He noted that application rates for singles were high with 58 applications per available flat in July, the first time singles could get BTO flats. This then fell to 27 in the November BTO launch. In contrast, the first-timer application rate fell from 2.4 in January to 1.3 in November, while the second-timer rate fell from 14.9 to 2.7 over the same period. Application rates for studio apartments also stabilised at an average of 2.1 in 2013.
"These data will help shape our housing taper for 2014," said Mr Khaw, adding that the exact details "will be finalised and announced soon".
Source: Straits Times 16th December 2013