SINGAPORE: The Ministry of National Development on Thursday (18 September 2025) announced they will review the income ceiling for public housing, alongside exploring additional housing options for singles, seniors and large families.
Public housing, Chee emphasised, would remain affordable and accessible through a robust pipeline of Build-To-Order (BTO) flats across different regions, said Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat. These will include projects with shorter waiting times, supported by a steady supply of land for private housing development.
Rental housing and ownership support
The government will continue improving public rental housing, with upgrades to older rental blocks and assistance for more rental households to transition into home ownership.
Calls for a revision of income ceilings have grown over the years. Currently, couples applying for BTO flats face an income ceiling of S$14,000, while singles must be at least 35 years old and earn S$7,000 or less to qualify.
Addenda to President’s Address
The announcement formed part of addenda to the President’s Address delivered on 5 September 2025 by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, which set the direction for the government’s new term.
Each ministry is now providing further details on policy priorities.
Chee said a framework for the Voluntary Early Redevelopment Scheme (VERS) will be fleshed out, supporting the rejuvenation of older estates to make them more liveable, vibrant and senior-friendly.
Managing ageing private housing
In addition, legislation is under review to ensure management corporations of private housing projects take responsibility for maintaining and upgrading ageing developments.
The aim is to ensure such projects remain safe, modern and suited to residents’ needs.
Revitalising business nodes and urban centres
Chee also outlined plans to revitalise business nodes and workplaces, bringing jobs closer to homes.
Economic gateways in the north, east and west will be expanded, complementing the city centre’s role as a hub for business, tourism and culture.
The northern gateway will include the Woodlands Regional Centre and Agri-Food Innovation Park.
The eastern gateway will feature Changi Business Park and the planned Changi East Urban District.
In the west, the Jurong Lake District is expected to become the country’s largest business hub outside the central area.
Catalysing pro-enterprise growth
Promoting a pro-enterprise environment will be central to the Ministry of National Development’s approach. Industry partnerships will be strengthened to develop innovative solutions for the built-environment sector.
Chee highlighted the Business Improvement District initiative, empowering commercial property owners to undertake place management.
Collaboration with local firms will also drive development of products and technologies that can benefit Singapore and international markets.
Expanding transport connectivity
Alongside housing and urban development, transport was a major focus of the government’s plans.
Acting Minister for Transport Jeffrey Siow announced measures to grow Singapore’s international and domestic connectivity across air, sea and land.
Siow said the Ministry of Transport will deepen cooperation with global partners through strategic agreements, ensuring Singapore remains a trusted node in the global supply chain while creating opportunities for businesses and workers.
Johor Bahru-Singapore RTS and Changi expansion
The Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link is on track to begin service by December 2026, connecting Woodlands North with Bukit Chagar in five minutes.
Expected to carry up to 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction, it will support the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone and strengthen bilateral ties.
Changi Terminal 5, due to open in the mid-2030s, will boost annual passenger capacity by more than 50 per cent, accommodating about 50 million additional travellers.
The Changi East Industrial Zone and upgraded Changi Airfreight Centre will enhance cargo capacity by 80 per cent to 5.4 million tonnes yearly.
A 40-hectare Changi East Urban District will also be developed as a lifestyle and business hub adjacent to Terminal 5.
Rail expansion and domestic connectivity
Domestically, investments will be channelled into improving rail systems, training and asset renewal to sustain reliability as the network grows and ages. By the early 2030s, eight in ten households will be within a 10-minute walk of a station.
Several projects are underway: completion of the Circle Line, extension of the Downtown and Thomson-East Coast lines, and phased openings of the Jurong Region Line.
Longer-term projects into the 2040s will include new Seletar and Tengah lines, as well as Jurong Region Line’s West Coast Extension.
Autonomous vehicles are planned to complement public transport, with pilot deployments beginning in Punggol by end-2025.
Climate change and sustainability focus
Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu highlighted Singapore’s commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
Key measures include advancing carbon markets, developing carbon capture technologies and implementing an economy-wide carbon tax to guide business decisions.
Fu said a national adaptation plan is being developed to address climate risks, including rising sea levels and urban heat. Site-specific coastal protection studies are already underway.
To enhance heat resilience, investments will be made in research and technology to identify solutions for managing extreme temperatures.
Food security and nuclear safety
Singapore will continue diversifying food import sources and strengthening local agri-food production to ensure supply resilience. Stockpiles of essential food items will also be built up.
The government will invest up to S$1 billion over the next 20 to 30 years to upgrade existing hawker centres and build five new ones, supporting affordable food access for residents.
Fu added that Singapore is strengthening nuclear safety governance and international cooperation, as neighbouring countries explore nuclear energy options. Enhancing incident-response capabilities will also be a focus.
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