Singapore, 24 Feb 2020 Following a 2013 rule change by HDB, singles aged 35 and above can now purchase flats as first-time applicants and do not have to opt only for resale flats. HDB has also said that the supply for two-room flexi BTO flats in non-mature estates has remained steady at an average of about 4,000 units a year. It would continue to monitor the demand and calibrate the number of units.
Ms Christine Sun, head of research and consultancy at OrangeTee & Tie, said: "In 2008, the number of singles was 918,700. Since then it has surged past the 1 million mark to 1,057, 200 in 2018 - an increase of about 15 per cent.
There is a need to build more flats to address this growing number of singles."