SINGAPORE – For Hayley Tai, 30, the excitement of moving into her new Build-To-Order (BTO) flat at Tampines GreenOpal in May is slightly dampened. A critical bridge connecting her new home to the MRT station won’t be ready, adding a frustrating 15 minutes to her commute.

To tackle such inconveniences, a new multi-agency committee has been launched with the goal of ensuring a smoother transition for residents moving into their new flats.

During a Housing Board roadshow on April 12, Senior Minister of State for National Development, Tan Kiat How, laid out the urgency of enhancing planning and coordination as the demand for BTO flats continues to surge. He stated, “With a vast building program ahead, creating a seamless moving-in experience for new residents is more crucial than ever.”

Over the next five years, nearly 130,000 new BTO flats are set to be completed, with construction peaking in 2026 and 2027. Following the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, normalcy has returned to the HDB's BTO building program.

In response to concerns raised, a spokesperson for the new coordination committee noted the importance of addressing common pain points for residents. This proactive approach aims to streamline the transition process by aligning infrastructure readiness with the completion of housing.

Led by the Ministry of National Development and HDB, this committee is a collaboration among key organizations, including the Land Transport Authority and the National Environment Agency. Their focus is to ensure essential infrastructures such as mobile networks and pedestrian pathways are functional by the time new residents arrive.

The plan also includes quicker establishment of local amenities like shops and childcare centers, balancing needs for community support with business viability.

Issues faced by recent BTO residents in Tengah, Singapore's new town, highlighted the urgency of these efforts. New homeowners there reported poor mobile signal, no nearby supermarkets, and limited public transport options.

Tan emphasized that the committee will work towards tighter collaboration among agencies and enhance communication with residents to keep them updated.

In developing areas like Bayshore and Mount Pleasant, interim measures will be evaluated to better accommodate residents, particularly when complete amenities cannot be guaranteed at key collection.

Tan confirmed the commitment to hand over keys as early as possible while also working diligently to ensure amenities, community facilities, and landscaping are completed promptly. He stated, “Our goal is to narrow the gap between flat completion and the readiness of essential amenities.”

Even with the bridge to the MRT station not expected until 2026, Hayley remains enthusiastic about her new home, which she and her husband are thrilled to be accessing sooner than anticipated. “Having our own space earlier is definitely our main priority,” she said, expressing excitement that outweighs her inconveniences.