In his National Day speech this year, Prime Minister Lee mentioned the need to ensure that HDB flats are affordable to all income groups. In addition, there will be more new HDB flats in existing mature HDB areas in the future.

8Vision News collected public opinions on Facebook yesterday (17) and found that many nationals mentioned the policy on home ownership for singles and hoped that the government would make adjustments.

Miss Fung, a 30-year-old engineering technician who is currently single, said she has been thinking about buying a house but is in a dilemma because she is not yet old enough to buy a government HDB flat, and also because resale HDB flat prices are too high.

"I started working when I was 21 and I'm 30 this year, and I have enough savings in my CPF to buy an HDB flat, but I still have to wait until I'm 35 to 40 before I can have a flat of my own, which is really, really too long."

Ms Fung said she hoped that the government could lower the age for singles to apply for pre-purchase HDB flats, so that the nation could realise their dream of owning a home earlier.

"Because if you have to wait until you are 35 to buy a pre-purchase HDB flat, you have to wait five years for it to be built, and you will be 40 when you move in. If it is not possible to lower the age to 28, 30 would be better. I also hope the government can allow singles to buy three-room HDB flats."

Currently, singles must be 35 years old to buy a flat, and if they want to buy a pre-purchased HDB flat they can only choose a two-room flexible flat in a non-mature area, or a resale HDB flat.

Ms Cheuk, a 30-year-old market researcher, said singles are "severely restricted" in purchasing HDB flats, with the income ceiling and housing type also a major obstacle.

"The current housing policy restricts singles to buying HDB flats in non-mature neighbourhoods, but many of these singles want to live closer to their parents, who may live in mature neighbourhoods. The government may be able to relax to allow singles to buy bigger flats so that they can live with their elderly parents later."

Is it still necessary to differentiate between mature and non-mature districts?

Ms Cheuk also hopes that the government will re-examine the concept of distinguishing between mature and non-mature districts in municipalities, which not only restricts the country's home-buying options, but is also not inclusive.

"The government should be more inclusive when it comes to housing issues and ensure that even if they are single, they can enjoy the same rights as other nationals when it comes to applying for a pre-purchased HDB flat."

Cecilia Tan, a 30-year-old project manager who is currently planning to buy her first home with her boyfriend, agreed that as our HDB districts are becoming more mature, with good public facilities and transport networks, the distinction between mature and non-mature townships is no longer necessary as even HDB flats in non-mature districts will attract many nationals to buy them as long as the HDB flats are located in a good location.

"The government could consider categorising districts based on proximity to core central districts, or based on the popularity or subscription rate of pre-purchased HDB projects in the past rounds in each district. This would make it easier for those who really want a home to buy in less desirable areas if they are not picky."

Currently, the biggest use of the distinction between mature and non-mature areas is in terms of first-time buyers applying for HDB flats. First-time buyers who are unsuccessful at least twice in applying for a pre-purchased HDB flat in a non-mature town will be given an extra chance in the lottery when they apply for a flat in a non-mature town afterwards.

Mrs Tse, 29, who works in a research-related field, has just received the keys to her pre-owned HDB flat in Tampines North in recent months. She also cited Tampines as an example, pointing out that while Tampines is categorised as a mature town, Tampines North is actually still a very new town and is considered to be under development.

She also believes that if the government still wants to encourage people to buy HDB flats in non-mature districts, it could consider expanding the scope of the Neighbourhood Housing Allowance (NHA) so that buyers within four kilometres of their parents' or children's homes could also receive the allowance.

However, some respondents felt that there was a need to continue to categorise HDB flats in mature and non-mature areas. Ong Sze Lik, 31, who works in the banking industry, believes that the categorisation is necessary as facilities in mature and non-mature districts are still very different.

He and his wife have been living in a pre-purchased HDB flat in Tampines for almost a year, but he does not rule out the possibility of buying a flat for a second time in the future, "because pre-purchased HDB flats are subsidised and newly built, and the facilities are getting better and better now".