HDB flat sizes not shrinking: Khaw Boon Wan [Take Poll]

[CKP]

Jessica Cheam, The Straits Times wrote:

 

National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan has assured Singaporeans that HDB flats are not shrinking, contrary to popular belief.

 

In fact, sizes of HDB flats have been the same for the past 15 years.

 

He was speaking at the annual REACH Contributors' Forum on Wednesday night, when a student from the National University of Singapore raised concerns about shrinking flat sizes.

 

Mr Khaw said Singapore will not go the way of Hong Kong, where flats are far smaller.

 

'I would consider that a deterioration of our quality of life and we should avoid that,' he told the audience.

 

But he said that homes built by private developers are getting smaller, citing the increase of 'shoebox' units on the market.

 

The Government is keeping an eye on this trend, and if the proportion of such units becomes too high in the market, 'we may have to step in,' he said.

 

Mr Khaw also acknowledged that Singaporeans were concerned about expensive property prices but assured them that this was a 'temporary imbalance' of demand and supply.

 

'In the past five years, the population was growing rapidly that infrastructure could not keep up so because of the temporary imbalance, prices shot up. HDB has been aggressively pumping units into the market and although Singapore is not in the steady stage yet... there is some stabilisation,' he said.

 

'We are seeking their understanding and patience... we are getting there. We will continue to work hard at it. In the next five-year term, I'm committed to build at least 100,000 HDB flats if necessary,' he said.

 

He was fielding questions, along with Acting Minister Chan Chun Sing, at the REACH dialogue held at Scape that attracted about 200 participants that raised issues ranging from social equality, ethnic enclaves and building communities

 

 

Wednesday, May 02, 2012

AsiaOne

 

HDB flat sizes not shrinking: Khaw Boon Wan

 

SINGAPORE - National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan said on Wednesday night that HDB flats have been the same size for the past 15 years, and are not shrinking, contrary to popular belief.

 

Mr Khaw was responding to a National University of Singapore (NUS) student's question on HDB flat sizes at the annual REACH Contributors' Forum.

 

He added that they will not be reduced to the size of Hong Kong flats, which are far smaller, reported The Straits Times.

 

 

He told the audience that he would "consider that a deterioration of our quality of life and we should avoid that".

 

But homes by private developers are another matter, he noted, citing the increase in "shoebox" units on the market.

 

He said the Government may have to step in if the proportion of such units becomes too high.

 

Mr Khaw also assured Singaporeans the the high property prices now is a "temporary imbalance" of demand and supply.

 

"In the past five years, the population was growing rapidly that infrastructure could not keep up so because of the temporary imbalance, prices shot up. HDB has been aggressively pumping units into the market and although Singapore is not in the steady stage yet... there is some stabilisation," he said.

 

"We are seeking their understanding and patience... we are getting there. We will continue to work hard at it. In the next five-year term, I'm committed to build at least 100,000 HDB flats if necessary," he said.

 

[email protected]

 

 

 

Please particpate in the poll.

 

Edited May 2, 2012 by CKP

[Freestylers09]

same area

 

but different usage

 

so bo lugi..lol

[Ladykillerz]

quite obvious right? need to vote one meh?

a simple example, old 5rm hdb flat is 120+ sqm, now max. 110 sqm.

[CKP]

What you mean by different usage?

 

Storeroom (bomb shelter)?

 

[CKP]

I thought it was obvious until you see the 1 v 1 vote..

 

Take note it is 15 years ago in 1997 (peak of the bubble)

 

not in the 1970/1980s.

 

 

 

[Freestylers09]

service area

 

air con ledge ,service yard

 

last time air con is with bracket attached to wall out one ma

 

my house 92 sqm now new flat 93sqm..but seems living area and kitchen smaller..lol

 

iirc these service area eat into GFA too

[Jman888]

literally 睁着眼睛说瞎话！

 

but then true lah why newly wed couple need a 5 room flat?

[Silver_blade]

Strictly speaking, he is not wrong. Flat overall size is the same in the last 15yrs (don't compare those built in the 70's, 80's, early 90's, etc). How to fault him..... :angry: :wacko: But I really questioned the rationale behind larger aircon ledge, etc...

 

[Kungming]

 

This is about the best I can do.

[CKP]

Your point is that a smaller sized family only need a smaller flat size,

 

same point made by the HDB CEO.

 

 

"Flats are shrunk only 5 to 10% in the last 20-30 years"

 

 

 

[CKP]

Strictly speaking, he is not wrong. Flat overall size is the same in the last 15yrs (don't compare those built in the 70's, 80's, early 90's, etc). How to fault him..... :angry: :wacko: But I really questioned the rationale behind larger aircon ledge, etc...

 

Khaw is very selective with his comparison year...

 

If you go back another 5 years from 1997 to 1992,

 

then HDB flats have shrunk... according to HDB CEO in the video.

 

Edited May 2, 2012 by CKP

[Vid]

You guys are fooled! Of course existing HDB flats are not shrinking. He said the flats you are staying in are the same size today as they were 15 years ago (obviously) [laugh] He did not say new flats are same size

[Jman888]

Your point is that a smaller sized family only need a smaller flat size,

 

same point made by the HDB CEO.

 

"Flats are shrunk only 5 to 10% in the last 20-30 years"

 

 

we have to recognized that young couple either married late or married not intend to have kid. 5 room is over-kill as they only use the living room and one bedroom, if they know how to use the kitchen, chance they will have kid sooner [laugh]

 

 

[Shull]

technically correct... cos he only look (and specifically state) 15 years ago...

 

but my toes are still laughing though..

[CKP]

technically correct... cos he only look (and specifically state) 15 years ago...

 

but my toes are still laughing though..

 

 

Khaw is at least correct on the "popular belief" portion.

 

See poll results

 

Yes. Same for the past 15 years [ 2 ]

No. Shrunk for the past 15 years [ 10 ]

 

 

 

I salute Khaw for knowing so well the ground

 

has such a belief of shrinking flats even without the use of polling.

Edited May 2, 2012 by CKP

[Acemundo]

we have to recognized that young couple either married late or married not intend to have kid. 5 room is over-kill as they only use the living room and one bedroom, if they know how to use the kitchen, chance they will have kid sooner [laugh]

 

let me help our minstry find a lame excuse.

 

no, it is not because hdb flat got smaller. it is because singaporeans grew bigger after having better nutrition and leading a good life

[Joseph22]

Actually i do a research on this before. HDB size now for 3/4room are the same size as 30 years ago. 15 years ago, was the only time where 4 room is big.

 

5 room had really shrink though. very much.

[Dee_dum]

 

Must see location also. E.g. woodlands/tampines/pasir ris flats are huge.

Now mickey mouse units same size as their living rm lol.