In a recent development, the Housing and Development Board (HDB) in Singapore announced that a total of S$5.5 million (US$4.14 million) has been paid out to over 1,000 flat buyers for the delayed Waterway Sunrise II and Anchorvale Village Build-to-Order (BTO) projects. The compensation was provided in accordance with the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act (COTMA), which was implemented during the pandemic. Both projects, Waterway Sunrise II and Anchorvale Village, faced delays beyond their original delivery possession dates due to various challenges caused by the ongoing global health crisis.
Delays in the completion of these projects were primarily attributed to issues such as manpower shortages and supply disruptions resulting from the pandemic. Waterway Sunrise II also encountered setbacks due to the failure of its original contractor. Despite extensive efforts to expedite the progress of these projects, the delays surpassed one year, marking them as the most prolonged delays among all pandemic-affected projects. Additionally, these projects were the first instances where HDB was unable to meet the legal contractual deadline for project delivery.
To alleviate the inconvenience faced by flat buyers, HDB ensured that eligible individuals received the maximum reimbursement amount without the need for any claims or proof of expenses. This streamlined process aimed to simplify administrative procedures for flat buyers and facilitate the resumption of their life plans promptly. Following the completion of their flat purchases and acceptance of the settlement agreement with HDB, all flat buyers received their reimbursements within a two-month timeframe.
Exciting Updates on Upcoming BTO Projects
Looking forward, HDB shared optimistic news regarding its current housing projects under construction, projecting that all projects are on track to be completed as scheduled, with some potentially finishing earlier than expected. Notably, the Toa Payoh Ridge BTO project is anticipated to conclude three months ahead of its initial planned completion date. This project stands out as the first to achieve an earlier completion date since the onset of the pandemic in 2020.
HDB expressed confidence that several more projects might also be completed earlier than their probable completion dates in the upcoming years, barring any unforeseen circumstances. With the construction challenges posed by COVID-19 now resolved, HDB reassured the public that the BTO construction progress has resumed normalcy, signifying a positive trajectory for future housing developments in Singapore.
Keys Ready for Buyers of Last Two Delayed BTO Projects
In a significant milestone, all 1,651 buyers of the final two HDB housing projects that experienced delays due to the pandemic, namely Punggol Point Cove (Phase 2) and Kempas Residences, have been invited to collect the keys to their new homes. This marks the completion of HDB’s five-year journey to deliver all pandemic-affected BTO projects to homeowners. Currently, a majority of the booked units at Punggol Point Cove (Phase 2) and Kempas Residences have already received their keys, with the remaining households scheduled to collect them by the end of March.
With the conclusion of the final two projects, HDB has successfully handed over all 75,800 flats across 92 housing projects that faced disruptions due to COVID-19. To date, nearly 99% of the booked units have been claimed by flat buyers, allowing them to gradually settle into their new residences. The completion of these projects signifies a significant achievement for HDB in overcoming the challenges posed by the pandemic and fulfilling its commitment to homebuyers in Singapore.
In the construction sector, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on both public and private projects was profound, leading to unprecedented delays. HDB noted that the peak of the manpower crunch for construction projects occurred in mid-2021, with many projects falling below the required workforce levels to maintain the construction schedule. It wasn’t until October 2022 that HDB managed to restore the manpower levels across all projects to pre-pandemic standards, resulting in delays for most ongoing projects.
