8 facts you didn’t know about HDB flats

HDB flats cover a large percentage of Singapore and house a large majority of us.

While we might be familiar with the sight of these towering blocks of flats, we might not be aware of some of the little factoids and history that are a collective part of what we call home.

#1 HDBs built after the year 2000 have a different block numbering

HDBs built before the turn of the millennium may, or may not have a letter attached to it.

However, all HDBs built after the year 2000 have a number, followed by an alphabet as a suffix.

Carparks tend to follow the same trend.

#2 Longest HDB block

Surprisingly, the longest HDB block isn’t a new BTO, but an older one in Whampoa.

This honor goes to Block 195 in Kim Keat Avenue, which stretches a staggering 370 metres in length.

With shrinking floor sizes and land scarcity, we suspect that there won’t be a repeat of this design again

#3 A large majority indeed

We know that a large majority of us are housed in HDBs, but how large a majority are we talking about?

Well, over 80% of the island’s population is housed in HDBs, and there are actually over 1 million units in existence today. That’s a lot of homes!

See more: 10 Unique HDB buildings in Singapore

#4 Most common size?

Singaporeans always take the chance to upgrade the size of their homes when they can. But which size of HDB flat is the most commonly occupied?

The answer is the 4-room flat. In 2015, 1 in 3 families stayed in a 4-room flat.

#5 A flat every hour?

At one point in Singapore’s history, it was promised that we would have a flat built every 45 minutes.

While we are unsure if this is actually true, we can tell you that there has been a surge number of BTOs being built in recent years to house more Singaporeans.

See more: What’s next after applying for a BTO?

#6 First HDB flats…

The first HDB flats were not built by HDB and were actually left half-completed by the SIT.

The HDB took over the building of the Stirling Road flats and completed the remaining half of the flats

#7 One of the worst slums to First World public housing

Before the HDB ever existed, Singapore was described in 1947 by the British Housing Committee Report as “one of the worst slums” and “a disgrace to civilised society”.

Singapore and the HDB overcame tremendous odds to transform our housing situation.

#8 No better public housing in the world

Believe it or not, there’s no better version of public housing in the world. Singapore’s HDB is the envy of many developed countries in the world and has even been awarded the World Habitat Award in 1992.

As Singapore’s National Day rolls around once again, let’s remember and appreciate the awesome accomplishment that we enjoy today!

See more: August 2019 BTO – What We Know So Far