In his first major statement after taking office, Chee Hong Tat (Minister for Ministry of National Development) said that keeping the resale market of Housing & Development Board (HDB) flats affordable is one of the key priorities of his portfolio. “This is an important area for my ministry and me. We want to see how we can help to address this concern at the heart of it,” he told reporters on 28 May 2025. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

What He Highlighted

Key points from the minister’s remarks include:

• Resale-flat affordability is now officially flagged as a “key priority”. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
• The minister pointed out that price pressures in the resale market were partly driven by delays in BTO launches during the COVID-19 pandemic, which pushed more buyers into the resale segment. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
• More flats will reach their Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) from 2026 — enabling more supply of resale flats in the coming years. For example, about 13,500 flats will hit MOP in 2026, up from 8,000 in 2025. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
• The ministry intends to maintain strong supply of new BTO flats to create healthier housing options and relieve resale demand. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}

Why This Matters to the Resale Flat Market

For the brokerage and property advisory world, this policy tone-setting has several implications:

Supply relief ahead

As more flats hit MOP and more BTO flats are delivered, the volume of resale stock is expected to increase — which may put gentle downward pressure on price growth. The minister’s view is that moderation is likely over time. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}

Affordability focus

The government is signalling that it is sensitive to affordability concerns — especially for first-time buyers, upgraders and families. For brokers advising clients, this means highlighting not just “location and yield” but also “sustainability of purchase” and alignment with income levels and grant eligibility.

Lease-decay & exit risks

The minister briefly flagged the issue of lease-decay of HDB flats and mentioned that the ministry will “study carefully” how to manage it in due course. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}

Practical Advice for Your Clients

• Encourage buyers to assess their purchase from an affordability standpoint: whether their income, CPF and grants support the purchase comfortably, considering future interest rates and life stage.
• When advising sellers, highlight that while demand remains firm, policy emphasis on affordability means buyers may increasingly negotiate around realistic valuations rather than speculative premiums.
• Focus on exit strategy and lease remaining: since more supply is expected and lease-decay remains a long-term risk, clients should not purely rely on past resale price growth.

Take-Away Message

The ministry’s public statement signals a shift — steady BTO supply and increased resale-flat flows are central tools to relieve pressure. For you in property advisory, the message is clear: affordability is back on the front page, and every buyer or seller should factor it into their decision making.