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The Design Build And Sell Scheme (DBSS) was first introduced by the then Minister for National Development Mah Bow Tan in 2005. It aimed to involve private developers in the building of public housing to offer buyers with higher incomes a wider variety of housing. DBSS flats do not have full-suite condo facilities, such as pools, gyms, etc. as ECs do. It is simply that the unit interiors have a higher quality of finishing, and are more varied than the standardised HDB floor plans.
The DBSS flats suffered from two major issues in their day: workmanship and pricing.
Workmanship issues are the most relevant to buyers, even today. Unfortunately, some DBSS developments were afflicted by complaints.
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In this video, we explore how and why the DBSS project was scrapped.
Commentary like this is useful for understanding the broader market. The harder part is applying those ideas to a specific property, budget or decision you’re actually considering.
That’s often where a second opinion becomes valuable.
If you’d like to discuss how this applies to your own circumstances, you can reach out for a one-to-one consultation here.
And if you simply have a question or want to share a thought, feel free to write to us at stories@stackedhomes.com. We read every message.
Frequently asked questions
What was the purpose of the DBSS scheme introduced in Singapore?
The DBSS scheme was introduced to involve private developers in building public housing, offering buyers with higher incomes a wider variety of housing options with higher-quality interiors.
How do DBSS flats differ from standard HDB flats?
DBSS flats have higher quality interior finishes and more varied designs compared to standard HDB flats, but do not include full condo facilities like pools or gyms.
What were the main issues that led to the decline of the DBSS scheme?
The DBSS scheme faced major issues with workmanship quality and pricing, which contributed to its decline and eventual scrapping.
Are DBSS flats similar to Executive Condominiums (ECs)?
No, DBSS flats do not have full condo facilities like ECs; they only feature higher-quality interiors and more design variety.
Why was the DBSS project eventually scrapped?
The project was scrapped due to problems related to workmanship and pricing issues.
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