Singapore home buyers can look forward to faster access to new public housing, as more than 1,300 of the nearly 4,700 Build-to-Order (BTO) flats launching in the February 2026 sales exercise will come with shorter waiting times, the Housing and Development Board (HDB) announced on Jan 31.

These units form part of more than 4,000 shorter waiting time flats – defined as projects completed in under three years – that HDB plans to offer throughout the year. The move continues HDB’s efforts to address housing demand and shorten the waiting period for first-time buyers and young families.

Among the six projects in the February launch, three will have significantly reduced waiting times. Tampines Bliss stands out with a completion period of just one year and 11 months, making it one of the fastest BTO projects since shorter waiting time flats were introduced in 2018. Tampines Nova will have an estimated wait of two years and eight months, while Sembawang Deck is expected to be completed in two years and nine months.

Another project, Kim Keat Crest in Toa Payoh, will have a wait time of three years and one month. Two additional projects in Sembawang and Bukit Merah will also be offered, with further details to be released later.

Tampines Projects Offer Central Living and Connectivity

Tampines Bliss will comprise three 10-storey residential blocks with 284 three- and four-room flats, located between Tampines Avenue 2 and Tampines Street 22. Residents will enjoy convenient access to both Tampines MRT and Tampines East MRT stations.

The development will include playgrounds, fitness areas, a therapeutic garden, an eating house and a preschool. A green corridor within the estate will connect residents to the Tampines Park Connector, Bedok Reservoir Park and Pasir Ris Town Park. Nearby amenities include Tampines Round Market and Food Centre and Simei Park.

Located in the heart of Tampines Central, Tampines Nova will feature two 14-storey blocks offering 255 units of two-room Flexi and four-room flats. Bounded by Tampines Avenue 5, Tampines Central 8 and Tampines Concourse, the project will include a central courtyard with playgrounds and fitness corners, a rooftop community garden and a preschool.

Residents will benefit from close proximity to Tampines Bus Interchange, Tampines MRT station and major malls such as Tampines Mall, Tampines 1 and Century Square. Cycling paths will also link the estate to nearby green spaces like Sun Plaza Park and Tampines Central Park.

Sembawang and Toa Payoh Add More Options

Sembawang Deck, located in the new Sembawang North housing area, will be bounded by Admiralty Street and Admiralty Lane. The project will offer 777 units ranging from two-room Flexi to five-room flats across four blocks of 20 to 25 storeys.

Besides on-site amenities such as a preschool, eating house, minimart and shops, residents can access Sembawang Mart and Sun Plaza nearby. A short bus ride away is Bukit Canberra, a community and sports hub with an indoor sports hall, gym, swimming pool, polyclinic and hawker centre. A new neighbourhood centre and a one-hectare park with playgrounds and fitness stations are also planned for the area.

In the central estate of Toa Payoh, Kim Keat Crest will comprise four residential blocks of 26 to 30 storeys, offering 1,151 units of two-room Flexi, three-room and four-room flats, alongside a rental block. Bounded by Kim Keat Avenue and Toa Payoh East, the project will include a minimart, eating house and shops.

Residents will be close to Kim Keat Palm Market and Food Centre, Toa Payoh Vista Market and Toa Payoh Town Centre. The upcoming Toa Payoh Integrated Development will add sports facilities, a polyclinic, the relocated Toa Payoh Library and a revamped town park. Connectivity is enhanced by easy bus access to both Potong Pasir and Toa Payoh MRT stations.

More Balance Flats on Offer

Alongside the BTO launch, HDB will conduct a concurrent Sale of Balance Flats (SBF) exercise, offering over 4,300 units — about 40 per cent more than the previously committed 3,000 flats. Around one in five of these units have already been completed, while the rest are under construction.

With shorter waiting times, improved amenities and strong connectivity across estates like Tampines, Sembawang and Toa Payoh, the February 2026 BTO exercise provides home seekers with faster and more flexible pathways to home ownership in well-established and growing neighbourhoods.

Property analysts believe that the constant stream of BTO projects have moderated the resale HDB prices.