HDB BTO Oct 2023 Launch: Kallang/Whampoa, Queenstown & More (Formerly Aug 2023 BTO)
Joel Koh●
Looking for your first home in Singapore?
Chances are you’ll be seriously considering a Housing and Development Board (HDB) BTO as they are generally more affordable compared to HDB resale flats.
And if you missed out on the previous May 2023 BTO launch, fret not.
We have the October 2023 BTO launch with about 6,800 units in Kallang/Whampoa, Queenstown, Choa Chu Kang and Tengah to look forward to.
Here’s all you need to know!
TL;DR: Oct 2023 HDB BTO Launch Preview
Note: From H2 2024, HDB estates will no longer be classified as mature and non-estates. Instead, a Standard-Plus-Prime system will be used to determine flat type. For this article, we will be using mature and non-mature as the policy has not kicked in.
HDB BTO Oct 2023 Mature Estate
| HDB BTO Oct 2023 (Mature) | Tenteram Vantage (Kallang/Whampoa) | Rajah Residences (Kallang/Whampoa) | Verandah @ Kallang (Kallang/Whampoa) | Tanglin Halt Cascadia (Queenstown) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estate Type & Housing Scheme | Mature | |||
| Prime Location Public Housing (PLH) | - | Yes | Yes | |
| Flat Types Available & No. of Units | 3-Room 4-Room Total: 1,040 | 2-room Flexi 4-room Total: 739 | 2-room Flexi 3-room 4-room Total: 1,143 | 3-room 4-room Total: 973 |
| Prices | 3-Room: $339,000 - $420,000 4-Room: $488,000 - $628,000 | 2-Room Flexi (Type 1): $176,000 - $216,000 2-Room Flexi (Type 2): $214,000 - $294,000 4-Room: $480,000 - $675,000 | 2-Room Flexi (Type 1): $193,000 - $237,000 2-Room Flexi (Type 2): $240,000 - $303,000 3-Room: $368,000 - $475,000 4-Room: $535,000 - $675,000 | 3-room: $364,000 - $509,000 4-Room: $537,000 - $702,000 |
| Nearest MRT Stations & Approximate Walking Distance/Time (via Google Maps) | Potong Pasir (~10 - 12 mins) Boon Keng (~10 - 12 mins) | Toa Payoh (~10 - 12 mins) | Kallang (~5 minute) | Commonwealth (~5 minute) |
| Nearest Expressway(s) | PIE CTE | PIE CTE | KPE | AYE |
| Nearest Schools | Within 1km: Bendemeer Primary School Hong Wen Primary School St. Andrews Junior School Within 1 - 2km: Cedar Primary School CHIJ Primary (Toa Payoh) Farrer Park Primary School First Toa Payoh Primary School Kheng Cheng School Pei Chun Public School St. Joseph’s Institution Junior | Within 1km: Hong Wen School Pei Chun Public School Within 1 - 2km: Bendeemer Primary School CHIJ Primary (Toa Payoh) Farrer Park Primary School First Toa Payoh Primary School Kheng Cheng School St. Andrews Junior School St. Joseph’s Institution Junior | Within 1km: No schools Within 1 - 2km: Bendeemer Primary School Canossa Catholic Primary School Geylang Methodist (Primary) Kong Hwa School | N.A. |
| Selection Time | Jan - Nov 2024 | |||
| Estimated Waiting Time | 45 months | 52 months | 42 months | 54 months |
| Estimated Completion Date | 2Q 2028 | 4Q 2028 | 1Q 2028 | 1Q 2029 |
| Estimated Possession Date | 31 Dec 2029 | 30 Jun 2030 | 30 Sep 2029 | 30 Sep 2030 |
HDB BTO Oct 2023 Non-Mature Estate
| HDB BTO Oct 2023 (Non-Mature) | Rail Green I & II @ CCK (Choa Chu Kang) | Plantation Edge I & II (Tengah) |
|---|---|---|
| Estate Type & Housing Scheme | Non-Mature | |
| Flat Types Available & No. of Units | 2-Room Flexi 3-Room 4-Room 5-Room 3-Gen Total: 1,895 | 2-Room Flexi 3-Room 4-Room 5-Room Total: 1,010 |
| Prices | 2-Room Flexi (Type 1): $106,000 - $132,000 2-Room Flexi (Type 2): $134,000 - $168,000 3-Room: $216,000 - $272,000 4-Room: $319,000 - $437,000 5-Room: $463,000 - $595,000 3-Gen: $471,000 - $530,000 | 2-Room Flexi (Type 1): $114,000 - $133,000 2-Room Flexi (Type 2): $142,000 - $183,000 3-Room: $232,000 - $279,000 4-Room: $353,000 - $418,000 5-Room: $460,000 - $568,000 |
| Nearest MRT Stations & Approximate Walking Distance/Time (via Google Maps) | Bukit Panjang (6 minutes) | Tengah Park (2028 Onwards) |
| Nearest Expressway(s) | KJE | PIE |
| Nearest Schools | Within 1km: Greenridge Primary School Teck Why Primary School West View Primary School Zhenghua Primary School Within 1 - 2km: Beacon Primary School Bukit Panjang Primary School CHIJ Our Lady Queen of Peace Choa Chu Kang Primary School Kranji Primary School South View Primary School St. Anthony’s Primary School West Spring Primary School Yew Tee Primary School | Within 1km: Jurong Primary School Princess Elizabeth Primary School Yuhua Primary School Pioneer Primary School (Relocating in 2026) Within 1 - 2km: Bukit View Primary School Dazhong Primary School Fuhua Primary School Keming Primary School Shuqun Primary School St. Anthony’s Primary School |
| Selection Time | Jan - Nov 2024 | |
| Estimated Waiting Time | Rail Green I @ CCK: 39 months Rail Green II @ CCK: 48 months | Plantation Edge I: 36 months Plantation Edge II: 40 months |
| Estimated Completion Date | Rail Green I @ CCK: 4Q 2027 Rail Green II @ CCK: 3Q 2028 | Plantation Edge I: 2Q 2027 Plantation Edge II: 4Q 2027 |
| Estimated Possession Date | Rail Green I @ CCK: 30 Jun 2029 Rail Green II @ CCK: 31 Mar 2030 | Plantation Edge I: 31 Dec 2028 Plantation Edge II: 30 Jun 2029 |
Click to Teleport
- New HDB First-timer Priority Scheme & Balloting Rules From the October 2023 BTO launch
- Kallang/Whampoa Oct 2023 BTO @ Jalan Tenteram
- Kallang/Whampoa Oct 2023 BTO @ Jalan Rajah
- Kallang/Whampoa Oct 2023 BTO @ Geylang Road
- Choa Chu Kang Oct 2023 BTO @ Woodlands Road
- Tengah Oct 2023 BTO @ Plantation Close
- Upcoming BTO and BTO Launch Dates: December 2023 BTO Preview
- Can’t Wait for a BTO? Check Out the Latest Sale of Balance Flat (SBF) Launch and HDB Open Booking Exercise
- BTO FAQs
New HDB First-timer Priority Scheme & Balloting Rules From the Oct 2023 BTO Launch
Before we jump into the different BTO projects this October, here are some changes to the First-timer Priority Scheme and balloting rules you need to know.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Mr Lawrence Wong, has announced in Budget 2023 that the HDB will introduce a new priority category, the First-Timer (Parents & Married Couples) category, or FT(PMC).
The eligibility criteria for the FT(PMC) category are as follows:
- Families with at least one Singapore Citizen child aged 18 and below, married couples aged 40 and below, and
- Never owned or sold a residential property before, and
- Did not have a chance to book a BTO/SBF flat in the past five years before their flat application.
Additional Ballot Chance For Unsuccessful FT(PMC) Applicants (≥ Two Failed Applications)
Currently, First-Timer families receive two ballot chances for their BTO or Sales of Balance (SBF) applications.
However, from Oct 2023’s BTO launch onwards, FT(PMC) will get one additional chance for every subsequent unsuccessful BTO application in non-mature estates if you have previously been unsuccessful for two or more BTO applications in non-mature estates.
For the uninitiated, an application is considered unsuccessful if you are not invited to book a flat, i.e. you did not receive a queue number, or the flats were all taken up before your queue number was due.
Also, additional chances are not given for applications for BTO flats in the mature estates and SBF exercises as the flat supply is limited. Here’s a summary of the ballot chances if you fall into the FT(PMC) category:
| No. of Previous Unsuccessful Applications (For BTO sales launches in non-mature estates) | Additional Chances (+1 per application after 2 unsuccessful applications) | Total (Additional chances + 2 first-timer chances) |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 2 | 1 | 3 |
| 3 | 2 | 4 |
| 4 | 3 | 5 |
New Family and Parenthood Priority Scheme With Increased Flat Supply Allocation
The Parenthood Priority Scheme (PPS) will be renamed the Family and Parenthood Priority Scheme (FPPS) to include FT(PMC) applicants.
Currently, up to 30% of BTO and up to 50% of SBF flat supply are allocated to First-Timer married couples with at least one Singapore citizen aged 18 and below or are expecting a child. From this project onwards, public flat supply allocation will be increased up to 40% for BTOs and up to 60% for SBFs, respectively.
Also, FT(PMC) applicants applying for 4-room and smaller BTO flats in the non-mature estates will be given first priority for the flats set aside under the FPPS. This means they will be shortlisted ahead of all other FPPS-eligible applicants and stand a higher chance of being invited to select a flat.
Non-Selection of Flats Will Push You to Second-Timer, Even If You Were Under FT(PMC)
To ensure more efficient flat allocation so that those needing it can secure their flats more quickly, HDB is tightening the rules for non-selection flats from the Oct 2023 BTO exercise.
All first-timer BTO applicants, including those under the FT( PMC) category, who reject their BTO ballots will accumulate one non-selection count (lowered from the current two counts) and be considered second-timers for a year in the computer ballot.
All BTO Applicants Must Apply for the HFE Letter
Since May 2023’s BTO launch, applicants must obtain an HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) Letter, which has replaced the old HDB Loan Eligibility (HLE) letter.
If you want to apply for the October 2023 BTO launch, it’s best to get your HFE letter now. Here’s a guide to the HFE letter and how to apply:
Kallang/Whampoa Oct 2023 BTO
Starting with the mature estates, we have the Kallang/Whampoa BTOs.
If you’re a fan of this area, the good news is that there are actually three projects from this estate for the October 2023 BTO launch!
1) Tenteram Vantage @ Kallang: 3-Room and 4-Room BTO Flats
The first October 2023 Kallang Whampoa BTO project has 1,040 units of 3- and 4-room flats and is located along Jalan Tenteram Road next to the Pan-Island Expressway (PIE) and Central Expressway (CTE):
Distance to MRT Kallang/Whampoa BTO
The location is somewhat decent as the nearest Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) stations are Toa Payoh (NS19) and Boon Keng (NE9), which are about 1km or a 10 – 12 minute walk away.
For this project, there will be about 1,040 3-room and 4-room flats on offer for those with smaller families.
Speaking of families, if you have kids, here are the schools located near this future BTO project site (via OneMap):
- Within 1KM:
- Bendemeer Primary School
- Hong Wen Primary School
- St. Andrews Junior School.
- Within 1KM – 2KM:
- Cedar Primary School
- CHIJ Primary (Toa Payoh)
- Farrer Park Primary School
- First Toa Payoh Primary School
- Kheng Cheng School
- Pei Chun Public School
- St. Joseph’s Institution Junior.
There are also these schools nearby:
- Haven Schoolhouse Bahagia
- Haven Infant and Toddler Centre
- Saraswathy Kindergarten
- PCF Sparkletots Preschool
- Bendeemeer Secondary School
- St. Andrews Secondary School
- Northlight School.
Amenities Near Tenteram Vantage @ Kallang
Amenities around the area are decent.
But, you have a host of clinics like The Tenteram Clinic, B T Goh Family Clinic and Surgery, President Medical Clinic, Toa Payoh Polyclinic, etc., just a few minutes walk away. There is also Kolam Ayer Community Centre (CC), Balestier Plaza, Toa Payoh Sports and Recreation Centre, and Toa Payoh Public Library, located within a 1 – 2km radius.
In terms of food, Whampoa Drive Makan Place/Whampoa Food Centre and Kim Keat Palm Market & Food Centre are about 1km away.
2) Rajah Residences: 2-Room and 4-Room BTO Flats
Next, we have the Rajah Residences which is bounded by Jalan Rajah and Kim Keat Road next to the PIE and CTE with 739 units of 2-room Flexi and 4-room flats offered.
Distance to MRT Kallang/Whampoa BTO
The nearest MRT station is Toa Payoh (NS19), about 1km or a 10 – 12 minute walk away.
As for schools, these are the Primary schools located near this future BTO project site that parents or parents-to-be can look forward to:
- Within 1KM:
- Hong Wen School
- Pei Chun Public School.
- Within 1KM – 2KM:
- Bendeemer Primary School
- CHIJ Primary (Toa Payoh)
- Farrer Park Primary School
- First Toa Payoh Primary School
- Kheng Cheng School
- St. Andrews Junior School
- St. Joseph’s Institution Junior.
There is also Bendeemer Secondary School, Northlight School, St. Andrews Junior College and other schools in the area.
Amenities Near Rajah Residences
Amenities around the area are good.
You have clinics like Plushealth Medical Clinic and Surgery, Winsome Medical & Centre and Huai Mei Clinic Whampoa, a few minutes walk away.
There is also Balestier Plaza, a FairPrice at Lorong Limau and a Hao Mart within walking distance.
Toa Payoh Sports and Recreation Centre and Toa Payoh Public Library are about a 10-minute walk away, whereas Toa Payoh West CC is slightly further away.
In terms of food, Whampoa Drive Makan Place/Whampoa Food Centre, Toa Payoh Vista Market and Kim Keat Palm Market & Food Centre can be found within a 1km radius.
3) Verandah @ Kallang: 2-Room Flexi, 3-Room and 4-Room BTO Flats
The last Kallang/Whampoa BTO site is located along Geylang Road next to the Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE) with 1,143 units of 2-room Flexi, 3-room and 4-room flats on offer.
Distance to MRT Kallang BTO
The nearest MRT is Kallang (EW10), just 350m or a 5-minute walk away!
As for schools, these are the Primary schools located near this future BTO project site that parents or parents-to-be can look forward to:
- Within 1KM:
- No schools
- Within 1KM – 2KM:
- Bendeemer Primary School
- Canossa Catholic Primary School
- Geylang Methodist (Primary)
- Kong Hwa School.
Not to mention schools like Geylang Methodist (Secondary), Broadwick Secondary School, and Dunman High School in the area.
Amenities Near Verandah @ Kallang
With this being the most central of the Kallang/Whampoa BTO sites, the amenities nearby are great.
There are clinics like the T Medical Clinic (Kallang), Advent Medical Clinic and KO Family Clinic a few minutes walk away.
FairPrice and Sheng Siong are also within walking distance along Upper Boong Keng Road.
Pavillion Square, Guilemard Village and Leisure Park Kallang are in the area for your shopping needs.
The Kallang Squash, Tennis and Netball Centre and the Kallang Basin Swim Complex are nearby.
Regarding food, Block 17 Upper Boon Keng Market & Food Centre, Sims Vista Market & Food Centre can be found within a 1km radius.
Queenstown Oct 2023 BTO
Tanglin Halt Cascadia @ Queenstown: 3-Room and 4-Room BTO Flats
That’s not all.
We still have the Oct 2023 Queenstown BTO site for the mature estates.
This time around, HDB will offer about 973 3-room and 4-room flats for this BTO project located along Commonwealth Drive, with the nearest highway being the Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE):
Distance to MRT Queenstown BTO
This BTO project’s location is excellent as the nearest MRT station, Commonwealth (EW20), is just 350m or about 5 minutes away on foot.
As for schools, unfortunately, there are no schools located within a 2km radius:
Amenities Near Queenstown Oct 2023 BTO
Many amenities are near this site, like a Sheng Siong and FairPrice at Tanglin Halt and Holland Drive, the Rochester Mall, Holland Road Shopping Centre and The Star Vista nearby.
You have Tanglin Halt Market, the Commonwealth Crescent Market and the Holland Drive Market and Food Centre nearby for food.
Choa Chu Kang Oct 2023 BTO
Rail Green I & II @ CCK: 2-Room Flexi, 3-Room, 4-Room, 5-Room and 3Gen BTO Flats
Now we move on to the Non-Mature estates.
First up, we have the Oct 2023 Choa Chu Kang BTO site located along Woodlands Road and the Kranji Expressway (KJE):
HDB will build 1,895 2-room Flexi, 3-room, 4-room, 5-room and 3Gen flats for this site.
Distance to MRT Choa Chu Kang BTO
The nearest MRT is Bukit Panjang (DT1), just 400m or a 6-minute walk away.
As for schools, these are the Primary schools located near this future BTO project site that parents or parents-to-be can look forward to:
- Within 1KM:
- Greenridge Primary School
- Teck Why Primary School
- West View Primary School
- Zhenghua Primary School.
- Within 1KM – 2KM:
- Beacon Primary School
- Bukit Panjang Primary School
- CHIJ Our Lady Queen of Peace
- Choa Chu Kang Primary School
- Kranji Primary School
- South View Primary School
- St. Anthony’s Primary School
- West Spring Primary School
- Yew Tee Primary School.
Amenities Near Rail Green I & II @ CCK
Regarding amenities, the Choa Chu Kang Oct 2023 BTO development is situated near the Bukit Panjang neighbourhood, offering convenient access to facilities like Hillion Mall and Bukit Panjang Plaza.
Additionally, it boasts convenient transportation options, including road, bus, and MRT train connections to the Upper Bukit Timah region via Upper Bukit Timah Road. This accessibility extends to popular shopping destinations like HillV2 and the Rail Mall.
Tengah Oct 2023 BTO
Plantation Edge I & II: 2-Room Flexi, 3-Room, 4-Room and 5-Room BTO Flats
Last but not least, for the Oct 2023 BTO exercise, we have 1,010 2-room Flexi, 3-room, 4-room and 5-room flats launching in Tengah.
The site of the BTO is located along Plantation Close and Bukit Batok Road next to the PIE.
Distance to MRT Tengah BTO
The main draw of Tengah Plantation Close is that it is somewhat near Jurong East, with Chinese Garden MRT a bus ride away. This means you can still access the Jurong East amenities with a bit of hassle while waiting for Tengah to develop.
This BTO project is one for the future as the nearby Jurong Region Line (JRL) Tengah Park MRT (JE2), which is expected to be built by 2028, will open roughly when future residents move in, barring delays.
But for now, this BTO project is quite convenient for drivers as the PIE is just around the corner. However, it can be a bit of a double-edged sword as although there will be a future park acting as a buffer, you might have to deal with expressway noise if you plan to live there in the future.
As for schools, these are the Primary schools located near this future BTO project site that parents or parents-to-be can look forward to:
- Within 1KM:
- Jurong Primary School
- Princess Elizabeth Primary School
- Yuhua Primary School
- Pioneer Primary School (Relocating in 2026)
- Within 1KM – 2KM:
- Bukit View Primary School
- Dazhong Primary School
- Fuhua Primary School
- Keming Primary School
- Shuqun Primary School
- St. Anthony’s Primary School.
Eden School (Special Education), Bukit Batok Secondary School, Dunearn Secondary School, Jurongville Secondary School and Millennia Institute (MI) are nearby.
Amenities Near Tengah Oct 2023 BTO
Back then, when Singapore was a mere fishing village, Tengah was filled with farms, villages and plantations. It was later converted to a restricted military training area.
The neighbourhood has since been set aside for future housing developments, making it the newest HDB town after Punggol.
But for now, amenities are relatively scarce.
If you want to learn more about Tengah, check out our Tengah Neighbourhood guide.
Upcoming BTO and BTO Launch Dates: December 2023 BTO Preview
If this launch does not excite you, there’s still the December 2023 BTO launch to look forward to. Typically, HDB launches BTOs four times a year in February, May, August and November. But, the November 2023 BTO launch has been pushed back to December 2023.
HDB Flat Portal
A quick check on the HDB Flat Portal will reveal that:
In December 2023, HDB will offer about 6,300 units of BTO flats in towns/ estates such as:
- Bedok (Community Care Apartments/ 2-room Flexi/ 3-/ 4-/ 5-room)
- Bishan (3-/ 4-room)
- Bukit Merah (2-room Flexi/ 3-/ 4-room)
- Bukit Panjang (2-room Flexi/ 4-room)
- Jurong West (2-room Flexi/ 3-/ 4-/ 5-room)
- Queenstown (3-/ 4-room)
- Woodlands (2-room Flexi/ 3-/ 4-/ 5-room).
But note that this lineup is subject to review as more project details will be firmed up closer to the launch date. HDB will provide more information at the next BTO exercise, so keep a close watch on Seedly, as we will cover the news once it drops.
Can’t Wait for a BTO? Check Out the Latest Sale of Balance Flat (SBF) Launch and HDB Open Booking Exercise
But, if you can’t afford the four to five-year wait for a BTO, you can wait for the subsequent Sale of Balance Flat Launch launched by HDB on an ad-hoc basis when sufficient balance flats are offered for sale. But usually, these exercises happen in May and November.
Or Open Booking Booking of Flats, which you can apply for all year round. However, HDB usually releases a fresh supply of flats in March and November.
BTO FAQs
Also, here are some frequently asked questions about BTOs that you might find helpful.
What Is the Income Ceiling for BTO in 2023? Families vs Singles
As of May 2023, you cannot exceed the monthly household income ceiling of $14,000 (based on the average monthly income for the past 12 months) to apply for an HDB BTO flat.
For singles, the BTO income ceiling is $7,000 a month.
Who is Eligible for Second Timer BTO?
If you have previously received a housing subsidy, you are classified as a second-timer by HDB.
This means that any of the following scenarios apply to you:
- You have purchased a flat directly from HDB
- You have purchased a resale flat using the CPF housing grant
- You have purchased a DBSS flat from a property developer
- You have purchased an EC (Executive Condominium) from a property developer
- You have received other forms of housing subsidy, such as through SERS (Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme) or the privatization of HUDC (Housing and Urban Development Company) estate.
So, if your first home is a resale flat and you acquired it with resale grants, you will be considered a second-timer when applying for a BTO (Build-to-Order) flat.
How Many Times Can I Apply for BTO?
Although many adult Singaporeans know they are eligible to buy a new flat from HDB twice, some may not realize they can apply for a third new flat in their senior years.
Specifically, Singaporeans aged 55 and above can apply for a Short-lease 2-room Flexi flat from HDB. In contrast, those aged 65 and above can apply for a Community Care Apartment flat, even if they have received housing subsidies twice.
What Is the Wait Out Period for BTO? Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) Explained
For the uninitiated, the MOP refers to the time you need to physically stay in your flat before you can sell or rent it out.
Also, according to HDB, ‘the MOP is calculated from the date you collect the keys to your flat. It excludes any period where you do not occupy the flat, such as when the whole flat is rented out or when there has been an infringement of the flat lease.’
| BTO Model | PLH Model | |
|---|---|---|
| Resale of flat | Allowed after MOP (5 years) | Allowed after MOP (10 years) |
| Investment in private property | ||
| Renting out of whole flat | Not allowed | |
| Renting out of spare rooms | Allowed | Allowed |
For normal HDB BTO flats, the MOP is five years.
But when selling Prime Location Public Housing (PLH) flats, you must know that the MOP for PLH flats is 10 years. This is double the MOP for the existing HDB BTO flat scheme.
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