Leung questioned whether these subsidies were sufficient to make pre-purchase of HDB flats affordable.

Shen Ying pointed out that the proposal might appeal to some people and their views should not be ignored.

The most popular pre-purchase HDB flats are those in popular locations, especially the larger ones, and people are usually concerned about being able to afford these flats.

However, HDB has actually priced the pre-owned HDB flats at a very favourable discount compared to the open market to ensure that they are at an affordable level.

Moreover, with a limited supply of these flats, pricing them lower will only attract more eligible buyers to queue up for them, which is even less likely for those who have just organised their families and unfair to all buyers.

This is especially true for those buyers who are unlucky enough not to be able to buy one of these flats, who will not be able to take advantage of these offers.

Further increases in housing allowances will mean less spending in many other important areas such as education, health care and defence, and may even have to raise taxes to pay for more housing subsidies, aspects that will have to be carefully weighed.

It is not desirable for the Government to charge the HDB less for land, and state land is part of the national reserve.

If HDB does not return the land to the reserve at fair market value, it will effectively result in a reduction in the value of the national reserve, to the detriment of current and future generations.

HDB will ensure that every eligible pre-purchase HDB buyer has an affordable housing option and will continue to improve its policies to make the path to home ownership smoother for the nation, especially for those who are just starting a family.

We fully understand their needs and concerns, but drastically reducing the price of HDB flats, even regardless of the cost of land, will only end up hurting all Singaporeans, not helping them.