The Story Of HDB’s Struggles With The DBSS: Why It Was Doomed To Fail
December 15, 2022
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.
More from Stacked
The challenge for many buyers today isn't access to information.
It's interpreting that information in a way that makes sense for their finances, goals, and stage of life.
Over time, that's also why we decided to work with agents who shared the same data-driven and advisory-led approach behind our editorial, consultants who could help readers think through decisions more objectively, rather than simply push transactions.
Today, the team has worked with more than 2,000 clients across over $5B in property transactions.
The Last River Valley GLS Site Just Closed — And The Top Bid Was 22% Higher Than The Previous Tender
A joint venture between Sunway MCL and CSC Land Group has submitted the top bid of $750.6 million for a…
In this video, we explore how and why the DBSS project was scrapped.
At Stacked, we like to look beyond the headlines and surface-level numbers, and focus on how things play out in the real world.
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?
How do DBSS flats differ from standard HDB flats?
What were the main issues that led to the decline of the DBSS scheme?
Are DBSS flats similar to Executive Condominiums (ECs)?
Why was the DBSS project eventually scrapped?
Need help with a property decision?
Speak to our team →Read next from Property Market Commentary
Property Market Commentary Why The ‘Safer’ HDB Loan Isn’t Always The Smarter Choice
Property Market Commentary The Plan To Revive Clarke Quay Starts With 1,062 New Homes
Property Market Commentary Why Some New Condo Owners Struggle To Sell Even After Prices Have Risen
Property Market Commentary This New Hougang Mega Project Could Launch Above $2,500 PSF — Could Nearby Condos Be A Better Buying Opportunity?
Latest Posts
Singapore Property News This 100-Year-Old Singapore Shophouse Is Up For Sale At $33.4 Million — Here’s What Buyers Are Really Paying For
Investor Case Studies How We Upgraded From A DBSS Flat To A $1.7 Million 2-Bedroom Condo: A Buyer’s Case Study
PRO Pro This Punggol EC Grew From $922 PSF To $1,449 PSF After MOP — But That’s Not The Most Interesting Part
0 Comments