SINGAPORE – In a significant move to address housing demand, the Housing and Development Board (HDB) will launch approximately 3,000 balance flats for sale this July. This marks the second Sale of Balance Flats (SBF) exercise in 2025, following a previous release in February.

In addition to the balance flats, the upcoming launch will feature around 5,400 Build-To-Order (BTO) flats in various locations, including Bukit Merah, Bukit Panjang, Clementi, Sembawang, Tampines, Toa Payoh, and Woodlands. This combined effort will boost the availability of flats to roughly 8,500 units for the year, the highest output since 2017, according to Minister for National Development Desmond Lee.

Earlier this year, 5,590 SBF units were offered, generating tremendous interest with more than 22,000 applicants competing for those flats, highlighting the continued demand for affordable housing options.

It's important to note that while SBF exercises took place twice a year until 2024, they have now shifted to an annual schedule. Potential homebuyers interested in the upcoming sales exercise are encouraged to apply for an HDB Flat Eligibility letter by May 15.

Minister Lee also remarked on current trends within the housing market, indicating early signs of price growth moderation for both public and private housing. In the first quarter of 2025, HDB resale prices increased by only 1.5%, a decrease from the 2.6% growth recorded in the last quarter of 2024.

To further stabilize the property market, the government plans to launch over 50,000 BTO flats from 2025 to 2027. This includes a notable segment of around 12,000 flats expected to have shorter waiting times of less than three years, which should greatly benefit home seekers.

In 2025 alone, HDB is set to roll out approximately 19,600 flats. Minister Lee attributes the current supply strain in the resale market to a decline in flats reaching their minimum occupation period (MOP), largely due to construction delays related to the Covid-19 pandemic. The situation is expected to improve, with around 13,500 flats anticipated to hit their MOP in 2026, up from 8,000 slated for 2025, and 19,500 in 2028.

“This means that more resale flats are entering the market soon, and the supply tightness will ease,” Mr. Lee concluded. With these upcoming projects, homebuyers and investors alike are hopeful for a more balanced property market in the near future.