WP MP Jamus Lim: Housing remain expensive for many Singaporeans

SINGAPORE: Associate Professor Jamus Lim, Workers’ Party Member of Parliament for Seng Kang GRC, in a recent Facebook post has again shed light on the housing affordability issue in Singapore.

Highlighting the concern over the soaring prices of HDB flats and its potential impact on Singaporeans’ ability to secure their own homes, he emphasized how these high prices could lead to delays in starting a family.

Additionally, he noted that despite the presence of grants and subsidies, housing remains prohibitively expensive for many Singaporeans, particularly those in lower income brackets.

In a Thursday (4 April) Facebook post, Assoc Prof Lim mentioned the concerns raised by a resident during house visits regarding the high prices of flats, which could potentially hinder their children from purchasing their own homes.

“This concern went beyond having a roof over one’s head. Not having a place also lends uncertainty about how independent one truly is, and may also lead to delays in deciding on whether one should start a family, ” he wrote.

Assoc Prof Lim said indeed since the 1990s, the price of HDB flats has stretched the budgets of more and more households.

Acknowledging the government’s target of achieving a house price-to-median income ratio of around 4, he explained that, with a median income of approximately S$10,000, this translates to flats selling for about S$480,000.

The govt seems to meet this target through a combination of grants and subsidies for both resale and Build-To-Order (BTO) flats. He further pointed out that the ratio is even slightly lower when compared to BTO flats rather than resale, due to additional grants available for BTO buyers.

“Yet even if we are willing to set aside the fact that this multiple is still regarded as unaffordable by some housing analysts, there remain problems with blithely accepting the current state of affairs.”

He highlighted that the ratio is computed using household incomes, assuming two working adults.

“In most other cities, it is calculated with median individual income; if we were to do so, the ratio will rise to the mid-5s, going into seriously unaffordable territory. ”

Unlike residents of other countries who may have the option to move to less expensive areas, such as the countryside, he said this isn’t a viable choice for most Singaporeans due to limited geographic options.

Assoc Prof Lim then further explained the problem with median family computation.

The ratio is computed relative to the median family income, meaning that for at least half the population, housing is even less affordable.

“And unlike other things people buy, it’s far from straightforward to find substitutes if one is lower income. ”

He added that the rental market in Singapore is small and typically more expensive than a mortgage, and downsizing may not be a feasible solution for young families as it could lead to uncomfortably cramped living conditions.

“The bottom line is this: housing, unlike many other purchases, is much more essential to one’s quality of life. With limited affordable alternatives, high HDB prices threaten this quality of life.”

He said despite the current slate of grants and subsidies, homes remain expensive for many Singaporeans, and all the more for those in lower income brackets.

While elevated house prices may benefit those already on the housing ladder by supporting their retirement incomes, the same cannot be said for young families who are struggling to afford housing, Assoc Prof Lim cautioned.

DPM Wong said affordability for four-room BTO flat prices in non-mature estates has improved

Despite concerns, particularly among the younger generation, about the affordability of public housing for achieving home ownership, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong defended the accessibility of owning a house in his Budget 2024 wrap-up speech on 28 February.

He said over the last 10 years, the average price of a four-room BTO flat in non-mature estates has remained relatively stable, even with rising median household incomes

He emphasized that, in real terms, the affordability of these flats has improved.

“The challenge we faced was with the prices of BTO flats in choicer locations, which are more expensive, ” he explained.

To address the issue, the government earlier introduced a new Standard, Plus and Prime framework. The framework aims to keep the BTO flats in these better locations affordable through more upfront subsidies.

“but it will be a fair system because the additional subsidies will be clawed back when the first owners sell the flats, ” added DPM Wong.

WP MP raises alarming concerns on housing affordability

Mr Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap, WP MP for Aljunied GRC had earlier highlighted two primary concerns, particularly for young Singaporeans from low-income households: affordability and availability.

He pointed out that the support of underemployment and savings packages is capped at S$30,000, resulting in challenges for households trying to purchase their own homes.

“If we assume a 50/50 split in the amounts a household receives for each section, the maximum amount a household receives for purchasing their own home is $15,000. ”

“After including the grants, the price of a three-room flat in the February 2024 launch of BTO projects ranges between $127,000 and $172,000. Assuming the household successfully applies for a housing loan, the downpayment involved would range between $25,400 and $34,400. ”

Mr Manap highlighted that this insufficient support makes it challenging for families, especially those with children, to save for their homes due to immediate daily needs.

Furthermore, he addressed the extended wait times for BTO units, affecting both middle-income and lower-income families.

For lower-income families with children, the living environments in rental flats may not be conducive for young children, impacting their development.

Mr Manap suggested a more proactive approach, such as prioritizing households ready to purchase their own homes in Sales of Balance Flats exercises or providing assistance in purchasing resale flats at subsidized prices.