The 1960s

• 1960

Formation of HDB
HDB was established as Singapore's public housing authority to solve the nation's housing shortage.

 

• 1961
  Queenstown - First HDB Town
• Work started on Queenstown, HDB's first town, which also served as the initial prototype for subsequent HDB towns.

 

 

• 1962
  First 21,000 HDB flats
• In less than three years, HDB completed 21,000 flats - a number almost equal to that built by its predecessor, the Singapore Improvement Trust, under the colonial government in its 32 years of existence.

 

• 1964
  Home Ownership for the People Scheme
• The Home Ownership for the People Scheme was introduced to give Singaporeans the opportunity to own an asset in their country, thus contributing to overall national stability.

 

• 1965
  Toa Payoh - Singapore's First Satellite Town
  Work began on Toa Payoh, marking the second stage of HDB's town development. This was the first HDB town to incorporate a town centre, a wide range of educational, commercial and recreational facilities as well as light industries that provided employment for residents.

• 1968
  Central Provident Fund (CPF) Housing Scheme
• The Central Provident Fund Housing Scheme was introduced. The scheme allowed flat applicants to use their Central Provident Fund savings to purchase HDB flats, thus making it easier for them to own an asset in their country.