Singapore’s Housing Board (HDB) clarified on March 14 that flats from earlier Build-to-Order (BTO) exercises are made available to all Singaporeans through the Sale of Balance Flats (SBF) exercise, not solely to those who initially applied during the BTO launch.
The HDB explained that these flats include units that were previously unsold, unselected, or returned after a prior BTO launch. They become available through the SBF exercise only after all eligible BTO applicants have had a chance to select a flat, and are subject to ethnic quotas.
The clarification came in response to a TikTok video posted on March 3 by a user, identified by HDB as Ms Chua, who questioned the number of flats available in SBF exercises. Ms Chua had applied for a four-room flat in the Bukit Merah Ridge project, launched in May 2022, receiving a queue number of 3,120 out of 1,226 available units.
Ms Chua expressed concern that she was not informed about the availability of balance flats in the Bukit Merah project, citing a February 28 Straits Times article that reported 202 four-room units were offered in the latest SBF exercise, which closed on February 11.
HDB stated that flats become available in the SBF supply when applicants from previous BTO exercises change their plans or cancel their selections. The board also noted Ms Chua had submitted 11 applications for a four-room flat between November 2020 and May 2023.
According to HDB, median application rates for first-timer families seeking three-room or larger flats have decreased from almost seven times in 2020 to between 1.1 and 1.9 times in 2025, with the latest exercise in February seeing a rate of 0.9 times. HDB explained that Ms Chua’s unsuccessful applications were for popular locations with high demand, such as Kallang/Whampoa and Bukit Merah.
HDB further stated that Ms Chua was invited to select a flat during the May 2023 SBF exercise but declined. She subsequently purchased a resale flat with Central Provident Fund housing grants. The board encourages those with urgent housing needs to consider applying for projects with lower application rates.
In a subsequent TikTok post on March 15, Ms Chua stated her resale unit was located in a “prime area” and that she shared her experience to highlight the difficulties many face in securing a flat despite repeated attempts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Sale of Balance Flats (SBF) exercise?
The SBF exercise offers flats that were not selected during earlier Build-to-Order (BTO) exercises, including unsold, unselected, or returned units, to all eligible Singaporeans.
When do flats become available in the SBF exercise?
Flats become available in the SBF exercise only after all eligible applicants from the Build-to-Order exercises have had the opportunity to select a flat, and are subject to ethnic quotas.
How many applications did Ms Chua submit?
Ms Chua submitted 11 applications for a four-room flat in BTO and SBF exercises between November 2020 and May 2023.
Given the ongoing demand for public housing in Singapore, will the HDB continue to adjust its processes to ensure equitable access for all applicants?
