#5 Politically Speaking – Is Public Housing in Singapore Still Affordable and Accessible?

In this episode of Politically Speaking, host Terry Xu is joined by property market expert Ku Swee Yong and financial advisor Leong Sze Hian to unpack one of Singapore's most pressing issues: the affordability and accessibility of HDB housing.

From skyrocketing resale prices to concerns about CPF depletion and retirement adequacy, this in-depth discussion explores the root causes of rising public housing costs, the impact of current policies, and potential solutions to ensure HDB flats remain a cornerstone of Singapore's social fabric.

Can public housing policies be restructured to address inequality and prevent speculation? Are younger generations facing an unsustainable housing future? Tune in as we tackle these questions and more in this thought-provoking conversation.

👉 Topics covered:

Why HDB prices are soaring despite demographic trends
The financial strain of HDB ownership on retirement funds
The role of policies and grants in shaping housing affordability
Radical ideas for reforming public housing to better serve Singaporeans

📌 What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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#SingaporeHousing #HDBAffordability #PublicHousingCrisis

00:00:00 - Introduction
00:04:18 - Rising HDB Resale Prices
00:08:02 - Financial Policies Impact
00:14:21 - Retirement Concerns and CPF Use
00:20:20 - Downgrading and Resale Trends
00:25:12 - Public Housing vs. Private Rentals
00:32:13 - Exploitation of Public Housing Policie
00:43:36 - Proposal for HDB Rental Scheme Expansio
00:49:02 - Voluntary Early Redevelopment Scheme (VERS)
00:56:57 - Affordability of HDB Flats Today
01:02:12 - Reducing Land Costs for BTO Flats
01:06:13 - Speculation vs. Public Housing
01:12:06 - Closing Remarks

#PoliticallySpeakingTOC

[ANOMALEONG]

Wish more open discussions similar to this can give Singaporeans at large to understand the issues. Tks to all 3 participants.

[a.r]

Its really sad that this discussion is being held on youtube instead of Parliament.

[hglim]

A lot learned from Mr Ku's expert analysis and insights. Thank you.

[LonganLee]

I feel sad seeing our Mr Leong having aged and suffered. I extend my sincere Gratitude to Mr Leong for his contributions to singapore

[jjjo]

I agree with Swee Yong, built more govt rental flat and let individuals or family stay longer term. Not force to buy hdb for those who can really afford. Keep hdb for family to grow, not as investment vehicle.
Keep public housing as orginally intended.Go back to roots.

[feliz]

1:12:55 Land cost at Market rate is just one of the many methods used to generated GDP growth for them to blow trumpet. You can find similar necessities like Gasoline at high price while most parts of the world without such problems. Their methods are same as marketing or sales gimmicks

[stevenlim]

Mr swee yong is very correct, sg is now into AGING and GIG JOBS SOCIETY with lots sinkapoleans seeking jobs, jobless, unemployed, underemployed... Not gohmen fake numbers stats says 'sg enjoy full employment every year'

[annievictory]

Appreciate the analysis of taking population comparing with residential units ( pte & hdb ) shows excessive demand. PM said he will overbuild hdb. Time to ask PAP what happens after lease expiry. PM was the bold one to give the first sound bite; in the recent past. Now good timing to get clarification on this issue for those chasing up prices. Is there a bubble?

[vvvis]

Most enlightening video.
Ku Swee Yong pls go run the HDB DEPT

[tvsmart]

New Citizens and PR can come and go anytime.When there is benifits they come if not they will leaves at the end who suffer?

[ptwlk]

My HDB 5 room in Yishun was $71, 000 in 1987. My salary as a graduate back then was $2500. Now? Shake head ya.

[siak]

Thank u very much for organising this insightful episode with such highly qualified professionals who are not afraid to share what is close to their hearts! Indeed nowhere close to the business-as-usual parlimentary cosy SESSIONS!

[alitheia]

Ku Swee Yong speaks sense, over the long term avoidability is call into question.

[LonganLee]

Sound quality and speaking by Host Terry is superb 👍

[ttkoh]

Vote Only If;
1. Your Quality of Life has been improved over the last 5 years
2. Good Paying Jobs prospective are good and secured for you.
3. You have more money to spend.
4. Your Children's Future is secured and protected.
5. You can afford the expensive hospital or are provided with Real FREE Medical Benefits.
6. You can easily afford the 99 years leasehold Public Housing without burning away more than half your lifetime [and your wife] of saving.
if obstinate Singaporeans do NOT "Change" then they will be forced to be "Changed" aka "Replaced" sooner or later.
Vote Wisely.

[KC-ocki]

It seems the solution is to have Swee Yong as the next Minister of National Development. It is obvious that the HDB has deviated from the basics of public housing model. Pension should not be used for financing housing costs in the first place.

[avatart]

There are only some other explanation to why hdb keep increasing:
1. Students from Marko & friends and i quadrant, borrowing and investing on properties through borrowed money and rent out
2. Foreigners investing in SG properties market due to population increase.
3. Hot foreign money laundering using hdb transaction as tools (more likely they will target GCB)
4.Land cost increased charged to developer by SLA(HDB paid $900M to $5B for the cost per year to buy land for development)

[LiHongyiIAMPM]

If KS, VB, and TSL's GCB are knocked down, SG could build more HDB for Singaporeans. Would Singaporeans want PAP ministers to live in huge GCBs at the expense of everyday Singaporean?

[josephfoo]

Very good and enlightening discussion. Ultimately the government is expected to solve this nationwide issue. Keep our fingers crossed.

[feliz]

11:00 Finance or grant is just like giving $800 CDC vouchers to solve 25% price hike caused by GST. Root cause is still Supply (building new flats) / Demand (importing aliens). Is the same telling the people our company tax is 17%, but GST made it 26%.

What they did was to demolish low cost flats (60 years) and replace them with higher cost BTO flats. Is the same as telling you we need 6.9m population without telling you about natural resources and the highest density ratio > 8300 km2 in the world.