Overview: A quicker path to a new home
Singapore’s Housing & Development Board (HDB) announced that about 3,300 Build-To-Order (BTO) flats with shorter waiting times—under three years—will be offered in the upcoming October sales exercise. The four projects span Bedok, Sengkang and Yishun, and contribute to a larger plan to reduce waiting times for new flats in 2025 and beyond.
In total, the October launch will comprise 9,100 units, with the 3,300 shorter-wait flats representing more than a third of this tranche. The flats range from two-room flexi units to three-generation designs, and include assisted living flats targeted at seniors. The HDB did not reveal a specific launch date for the exercise.
Four projects with shorter waits
Two Yishun projects together offer 1,395 units with a wait of about two years and seven months. The Chencharu housing estate will host Chencharu Grove, an 826-unit development along Bah Soon Pah Road and Chencharu Link. It will provide two-room flexi to five-room flats across six blocks. The design emphasizes greenery and communal spaces, recalling its heritage as former agricultural land. Planned features include fitness corners, a communal garden, a playground and a pre-school. The project also includes 418 Single Room Shared Facilities units to assist low-income singles by offering a private room within a shared living environment. Upon completion, Chencharu Grove will replace the pilot site at the former Anderson Junior College hostel in Ang Mo Kio Avenue 8.
The second Yishun project, Yishun Glade, sits between Yishun Street 31 and Yishun Ring Road. It will comprise 569 units of two-room flexi and four-room flats across four blocks, and will feature rooftop gardens, a therapeutic garden, and a senior care centre. Nearby amenities include Junction 9, Yishun Mall and the Khatib Bongsu Park Connector to Yishun Pond Park.
In Sengkang, Fernvale Plains bounds Fernvale Street and Fernvale Link and will offer 830 flats, including two-room flexi, four-room and five-room units, plus a block of public rental units. It also includes 207 community care apartments with senior-friendly fittings such as wheelchair-accessible bathrooms, and access to health and community services designed to support independent living for seniors. Facilities will include a rooftop garden, playgrounds, fitness stations and a hardcourt for recreation.
The Bedok project Ping Yi Court on Chai Chee Street holds 862 units and features a courtyard-like layout with three-generation flats and two-room flexi options across five blocks. Nearby amenities include Kaki Bukit 511 Market and Food Centre, Bedok Mall and Heartbeat@Bedok. Bedok MRT and Kembangan MRT are about 1.5 km away, offering convenient access to public transport.
Why these launches matter
HDB’s focus on shorter waiting times aligns with its broader policy to expedite access to home ownership and, for eligible seniors, more supportive housing options. By delivering 3,300 shorter-wait flats this October and aggregating to 4,690 shorter-wait flats launched in 2025, HDB is extending its commitment to reduce wait times compared with historic norms. The authority has signalled plans to launch around 4,000 shorter-wait flats annually in 2026 and 2027, reinforcing a long-term easing of entry barriers for new households.
What applicants should know
As with all BTO exercises, applicants should monitor HDB announcements for the official launch date, application deadlines, and eligibility criteria. The inclusion of senior-friendly units and mixed-use features in these projects reflects a broader shift toward age-inclusive housing and community-centric living. Prospective buyers can prepare by verifying their eligibility, checking location-based amenities, and considering transport links to balance daily needs with future growth in these estates.
Conclusion
With approximately 3,300 shorter-wait BTO flats spread across Bedok, Sengkang and Yishun, the October sales exercise offers a timely opportunity for Singaporeans seeking quicker access to new homes. The projects’ emphasis on community spaces, senior-friendly features, and practical layouts demonstrates HDB’s ongoing commitment to affordable, inclusive housing that supports diverse lifestyles.
