40 Years at a Glance

The Housing & Development Board was formed on 1 February 1960 as a statutory body responsible for Singapore's public housing programme. Since its establishment, HDB has played an important role in the development of Singapore.

HDB's objective in the early years was to build low-cost housing for low-income Singaporeans to tackle the massive housing shortage inherited from the colonial government. Moving into the seventies, it concentrated on improving housing standards and encouraging home ownership. In the eighties, it set out to build, not just homes, but communities in self-contained towns. In the nineties and beyond, the challenge is for HDB to respond to aspirations for a better quality lifestyle, one that will continue to remain affordable and innovative.

HDB today is no longer a mere provider of basic shelter. It is committed to housing that can meet the needs and aspirations of a more affluent and modern generation. Singaporeans are now looking for quality housing and services in an environment that supports and enhances their lifestyle. HDB has gone about meeting these expanding needs and aspirations by setting high standards and harnessing technology and ingenuity. The awards and accolades it has received testify to its capacity and ability to surmount the challenges coming its way.

The HDB of tomorrow faces new challenges as new housing needs will surface in the future - keeping up with the needs of a younger generation as well as caring for an aging society. By coming up with new housing forms and taking fresh approaches to town planning and development, HDB has already prepared for these challenges. In the future, as in the past, HDB will continue to innovate to cater for the housing needs of different groups of Singaporeans and to help make Singapore the Best Home for all.

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.

The 1970s

• 1970
  First Income Ceiling Raise
  The income ceiling for application of an HDB flat was raised for the first time from $1,000 to $1,200 and the maximum mortgage loan repayment period was extended. HDB would raise its income ceiling several times in the years ahead as the standard of living of Singaporeans improved with the country's growing economic prosperity.

• 1971
  Resale of HDB Flats
  Flat owners were allowed to sell their HDB flats in the open market upon fulfilling a stipulated occupation period, instead of selling their flats back to HDB. This meant that flat owners could earn some proceeds from their HDB flats as well as allowed others an opportunity to buy a resale HDB flat.

Introduction of 5-Room Flat Type
HDB also introduced a new 5-room flat type which had a higher income ceiling than that for other flat types, to cater to Singaporeans' aspirations for bigger homes.

• 1973
  Ang Mo Kio
  Work began on Ang Mo Kio, marking the third stage of HDB's town development. HDB's prototype town model had been consolidated, and Ang Mo Kio was planned on a new hierarchical structure. It thus had in addition to the town centre, neighbourhood centres and sub-centres as well as better facilities.

1974
Zoning of HDB towns
The zoning register system was introduced to overcome the shortcomings of the individual register system. It divided towns and estates into geographical zones and applicants could select their preferred zone. They would subsequently be offered flats in the towns and estates under the zone they had selected when their number was due.

• 1978
  Special Housing Schemes
  Three special schemes to encourage extended family ties were introduced - the Joint Balloting Scheme, the Mutual Exchange of Flats Scheme and the Reside Near Parent/Married Children Scheme. Of the three, the Joint Balloting Scheme which enabled related families to apply for flats together in the same/neighbouring town or estate, would achieve the greatest measure of success.

• 1979

Introduction of Executive Flat Type
The Executive flat type was introduced to cater to a new group of middle-income public housing applicants. Along with this, an income ceiling of $3,500 was set for the Executive flats, while the income ceilings for 3/4-room and 5-room flat types were raised to $1,500 and $2,000 respectively.

The 1980s

• 1980
  First Prefabrication Contract
  The first prefabrication contract was awarded to build 3 and 4-room flats in Hougang, Tampines and Yishun. Prefabrication technology would prove indispensable to HDB's building programme as it greatly reduced dependence on manual labour and increased site productivity.

• 1982
  Sole Public Housing Authority
  HDB became the sole public housing authority in Singapore when estates managed by Jurong Town Corporation and the Housing & Urban Development Company were transferred to HDB's management.

The Multi-Tier Family Scheme
The Multi-Tier Family Scheme was also introduced to encourage families comprising parents and their married children to live together under one roof.

• 1983

Serangoon and Bishan
Work began on Serangoon and Bishan, marking the fourth stage of HDB's town development. These two towns incorporated the new planning concept of precincts as well as the integration of private and public housing in developments.

• 1985
  Relaxation of Private Property Ownership
  HDB rules concerning private property ownership were relaxed to allow residents to own commercial or industrial property. And a single income ceiling of $4,000 for all flat types offered was set for the first time

• 1986
  Introduction of Town Councils
  Three pilot town councils in Ang Mo Kio were formed to introduce the concept of collective responsibility by residents in managing their estates. HDB would eventually hand over the management of common areas in all HDB towns and estates to town councils.

• 1987

Differential Pricing Policy
The differential pricing policy for HDB flats was introduced. Under this policy, flats with locational advantages would be sold at higher prices while those in less favorable locations would be sold at lower prices.

• 1988
  Town Council Act
  The Town Council Act became operational and town councils would be formed progressively over the next two years.

• 1987

Booking System
The queuing system for flats, which had been the mode of flat application since the formation of HDB, was replaced by the Booking System. Under this system, applicants were balloted for flats released quarterly, hence enabling a better match of supply to demand.

Relaxation of Housing Policies
HDB also allows permanent residents to buy resale flats and HDB residents to invest in private residential properties.

The 1990s

• 1991
  Pilot Phase of Main Upgrading Programme
  The pilot phase of the government's Main Upgrading Programme for older flats was launched. The Single Citizen Scheme and the Transitional Rental Housing Scheme were also implemented, to meet the housing needs of unmarried citizens and young couples waiting for their HDB flats to be built.

• 1992

Demonstration Phase of Main Upgrading Programme
The Demonstration Phase of the Main Upgrading Programme was launched in six precincts in Marine Parade, Kim Keat, Telok Blangah, Ang Mo Kio, Lorong Lew Lian and Clementi.

Design and Build Flats
The first building contract under the Design & Build Scheme was also awarded to private firms, signalling the start of private sector involvement in public housing projects.

Other significant developments were the launch of the Sale of Tenanted Shops Programme and the introduction of the Residents Priority Scheme for mature estates.

• 1993

Revised Mortgage Loan Financing Scheme for Resale Flats
The Revised Mortgage Loan Financing Scheme was implemented to allow resale flat buyers to obtain a loan of up to 80 percent of their purchase price or market valuation. This subsequently led to an increase in the demand for resale flats as it made it easier for buyers to purchase one.

• 1994

Registration for Flat System
As a result of the rising demand for HDB flats, the Registration for Flat System replaced the Booking System for new flats. This scheme removed the element of chance in flat applications and provided a fairer distribution of flats among first-time purchasers and upgraders.

The CPF Housing Grant Scheme was also introduced for first-time HDB buyers applying for resale flats and a four-pronged approach to help the lower-income own their homes was adopted.

• 1995
  Privatisation of HUDC Flats Executive Condominiums
  The privatisation of HUDC estates began with the selection of the first two estates under the programme - Pine Grove and Gillman Heights. And with the closure of the register for HDB Executive flats, the new form of housing - Executive Condominiums that would be developed wholly by the private sector - was introduced.

  Estate Renewal Strategy
  HDB also consolidated its Estate Renewal Strategy for older public housing estates. In addition to the Main and Interim Upgrading Programmes, this strategy also saw the introduction of the Selective En Bloc Redevelopment Scheme under which older blocks were demolished and the land redeveloped.

• 1996
  Design-Plus Flats
  The latest range of public housing flats, called Design-Plus flats, was introduced. These flats would have better design features and furnishing, as well as unique block configurations and integrated car parks.

Punggol 21
HDB also launched Punggol 21, its masterplan for an upcoming 21st Century public housing town by the waterfront that incorporated new and exciting planning concepts.

• 1997

Singapore Quality Award
The Singapore Quality Award was presented jointly to HDB and Baxter Healthcare, making HDB the first public sector and local organisation to receive Singapore's top prize for business excellence.

Revision of Housing Policies
With the increased activity in the property market, HDB tightened its housing policies in an effort to dampen public housing demand by encouraging prudence among HDB purchasers. The changes included revisions in the mortgage loans provided to the buyers of both new and resale flats, and the implementation of a 10-year time bar for applicants upgrading to their new HDB flat.

• 1998
  The Studio Apartment Scheme
  A new housing option for the elderly was introduced in the form of studio apartments, specially designed with elderly-friendly features.

The elderly would also get to enjoy the capital gains when they sell off their existing flat to move into a studio apartment, thus translating their assets into cash. Four sites were launched for the pilot project in Bedok, Jurong East, Tampines and Yishun.

• 1999

HDB $3 Billion Medium Term Note Programme
In line with the Government's efforts to develop a vibrant bond market in Singapore, HDB embarked on a $3 billion Medium Term Note Programme. Under it, HDB would, from time to time, issue bonds to finance its development programme and working capital requirements.

Rent and Purchase Scheme
The Rent and Purchase Scheme was introduced to enable low-income families to first rent a 3-room flat from HDB and then buy it over when their financial situation improves.

Walk-In Selection for 3-room flats
Low-income families applying for buy-back 3-room flats would get to select a flat on the same day, under a new Walk-In Selection system.

Technopreneur Home Office Scheme
To develop technopreneurship in Singapore, the Technopreneur Home Office Scheme was introduced. It allowed technopreneurs to seek approval from the National Science and Technology Board to use their HDB flat or private residential property as a home office.

Refinements to HDB Mortgage Financing Policy
The mortgage financing policy was fine-tuned, requiring HDB flat owners who have enjoyed one housing subsidy to pay market interest rate for their second mortgage loan when they move laterally or downgrade.