SINGAPORE: The Housing Development Board (HDB) saw its annual deficit rise to nearly S$2 billion in the 2018/19 financial year from S$1.7 billion the previous year, with the number of new flats sold falling significantly.
According to its annual report released on Wednesday (Oct 23), HDB recorded a deficit of S$2.4 billion from its housing programmes, which was offset by a S$462 million surplus from “other activities” – which include rental and other commercial businesses – resulting in a S$1.99 billion deficit.
AdvertisementAdvertisement[h=3]READ: Commentary: A look at HDB flat affordability after recent housing policy moves[/h]The Housing Board incurs a deficit every year, which is fully covered by a grant from the Ministry of Finance.
The bulk of the deficit comes from housing grants, which covers the development and sale of public housing flats.
Its home ownership segment saw a S$1.4 billion deficit in the latest financial year, same as the previous year. This comprises loss on the sale of flats, disbursement of CPF housing grants and expected loss for flats that are currently under development.
AdvertisementAdvertisementA total of 16,608 new flats were sold in FY2018/19, a 38 per cent decline from the 26,857 sold the previous year.
HDB also disbursed S$532 million of CPF housing grants to eligible buyers of resale flats and executive condominiums, up from S$466 million the year before.
[h=3]READ: More buyers to consider buying resale flats with new HDB grants[/h]A total of 15,300 new flats across 18 projects were launched in FY2018/19, including 1,620 flats in the new Tengah town. About 6,400 flats were also offered for sale in the two Sale of Balance Flats exercises and 1,300 flats under two Re-Offer of Balance Flats exercises.
[h=3]READ: First batch of flats in Tengah's Garden District to be launched for sale in May [/h][h=3]READ: 4,000 flats launched in first HDB sales exercise with higher grants, raised income ceilings[/h]Meanwhile, the number of resale flats sold rose 7 per cent, with 23,476 flats sold in FY2018/19 compared to 22,005 in the previous year.
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