The Singapore government gave a clear sign yesterday that it plans to keep private homes affordable, by declaring its land sales programme intended for the first half of 2010 at an earlier time.
With the introduction of 10 new residential sites through the reserve and confirmed lists, developers will be able to build more homes, few of these being executive condominiums (ECs). More plots will also be available in less expensive regions.
The forthcoming confirmed list is not only remarkable for its number of sites. Of the eight parcels, two of which are designated for ECs — a combination of private and public housing with resale restrictions and other limitations.
Such developments cater mainly to those who can afford to pay more than an HDB flat.
The 26 mixed-use and residential sites on the reserve and confirmed lists are located in the rest of central region (RCR) and outside central region (OCR), where less pricey homes can be constructed. Of the 10,550 potential supplies of units, 1,330 will be in CCR and the rest of 9,220 will be in OCR.
"Since the Minister of National Development, Mr Mah Bow Tan discussed in September the reinstatement of the confirmed list, the market has been waiting for further updates," said Choy Chan Pong, the land sales and administration senior group director of the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA).
“Since people say there is some anxiety about housing supply, it’s better to tell people now,” he rationalized.