HDB BTO Sep 2023 Review: Choa Chu Kang, Kallang/Whampoa, Queenstown, and Tengah

The HDB BTO Sep 2023 launch exercise will be the biggest one this year, with over 6,700 flats offered in Kallang/Whampoa, Queenstown, Choa Chu Kang, and Tengah. Find out more about the upcoming launch in our review.

[Update]: HDB has announced that the upcoming Aug 2023 HDB BTO launch will be pushed back to the end of September/early October 2023. This is because the ballot results of the May 2023 BTO launch have been delayed to the first week and last week of August.   

Around 6,790 BTO flats will be available across Choa Chu Kang, Kallang/Whampoa, Queenstown, and Tengah. 

Three of the six projects will be in Kallang/Whampoa, with one project each in Choa Chu Kang, Queenstown, and Tengah. 

In this article, we’ll dive into each BTO project and take a look at the amenities around it, including schools, MRT stations, eateries, and others.  

So, if you ever want to live in these estates, read our review to find out what’s in store!

Table of contents

• HDB BTO Sep 2023 overview
• Changes to the BTO flat application process
• Choa Chu Kang BTO
• Kallang BTO
• Queenstown BTO
• Tengah BTO
• Sale of Balance Flat in Sep 2023?
• BTO Nov 2023

HDB BTO Sep 2023 launch overview

As mentioned, the September 2023 HDB BTO launch is the biggest project in 2023, with over 6,700 units offered across six projects in Choa Chu Kang, Kallang/Whampoa, Queenstown, and Tengah. 

Three of those projects will be offered in Kallang/Whampoa, with the one closest to Kallang MRT station will likely fall under the Prime Location Housing (PLH) model, given the project’s proximity to the station and city.  

Meanwhile, the Choa Chu Kang BTO site is the biggest project, offering around 1,870 flats ranging from 2-room Flexi to 3Gen units. This project will likely be hotly contested due to the availability of different unit types and good amenities.  

In Queenstown, the BTO project is located on the former Commonwealth Drive SERS site, next to the Rail Corridor. It will likely be oversubscribed as there will be several popular amenities and schools in the vicinity. 

Lastly, there will be yet another BTO project in Tengah. Located next to Tengah Park MRT, it will consist of 1,010 units of 2-room Flexi, 3-room, 4-room, and 5-room flats. 
 

Changes to the BTO flat application from Sep 2023 onwards

There will be several changes to the BTO application process starting from the upcoming Sep 2023 HDB BTO launch. 

1. Penalisation for first-timer BTO applicants who reject their invitation

First-timer BTO applicants who reject an invitation to book a BTO flat will be penalised as second-timers for a year. Currently, you’ll lose your first-timer priority for a year only if you rejected your invitation twice. 

The tightening of this rule is meant to reduce the number of people who decline to pick a flat and to ensure more efficient allocation to those who need it more. 

If you look at the flat allocation for second-timers (5% for 4-room or larger flats compared to 95% for first-timer families), it’s harder for you to secure a flat as a second-timer.

2. Higher flat allocation for first-timer families

Another notable change to the BTO application process is the introduction of the new Family and Parenthood Priority Scheme (FPPS), which will replace the Parenthood Priority Scheme (PPS). 

Under the FPPS, up to 40% of the BTO flats and up to 60% of Sale of Balance Flats (SBFs) will be set aside for this subset of first-timer families, otherwise known as First-timer (Parents and Married Couples) category, or FT (PMC). This is up from the current 30% and 50% allocation, respectively. 

To be considered a FT (PMC), you’ll need to:

• Be a family with at least one Singaporean child who is 18 years and below, or a married couple aged 40 years and below; and
• New owned or sold a residential property in the past; and
• Have not booked a BTO/SBF in the past five years prior to your first application

3. Additional BTO ballot chances for first-timer parents and married couples

FT (PMC) applications will receive an additional ballot for their BTO applications. This group of buyers will be given a total of three ballot chances instead of the two currently.

4. All BTO applicants need to apply for the HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) letter 

Starting from the Sep 2023 BTO sales exercise, all BTO applicants must apply for the HFE letter before submitting their BTO application. 

You’ll need to have the HFE letter if you’re shortlisted and plan to take an HDB loan, which will inform you of your eligibility to buy a new or resale HDB flat, the CPF grant amounts, and your HDB loan amount. You can apply for the HFE letter on HDB’s portal. 

With that out of the way, let’s look at what the HDB BTO Sep 2023 launch has to offer!

Back to top

HDB BTO Sep 2023 Choa Chu Kang BTO overview and location

Source: HDB

The Sep 2023 Choa Chu Kang BTO will be located along Woodlands Road and is the biggest project in the Sep 2023 BTO launch. It also offers all types of flats, including 2-room Flexi, 3-room, 4-room, 5-room, and 3Gen flats.

It’s also quite accessible; you can get to Senja LRT station and Phoenix LRT station on foot in about 10 minutes, while Bukit Panjang MRT station is only a 7-minute walk away. You can get to the CBD in around 30 minutes from Bukit Panjang MRT station. 

Shopping malls in the area include Junction 10, Bukit Panjang Plaza, and Hillion Mall. Via Bukit Panjang MRT, you can also access other malls in the Upper Bukit Timah and Hillview residential areas, namely HillV2 and the Rail Mall. 

Speaking of Bukit Timah, nature lovers will also enjoy the Choa Chu Kang BTO’s proximity to the Rail Corridor, which runs through the BTO site. Though according to the BTO map, this is only an interim path. Besides that, there’s also the Bukit Panjang Park Connector and Pang Sua Park Connector, which run along the nearby Sungei Pang Sua.  

Families with schooling children will also be glad to know that the BTO project is close to several schools, including West View Primary School & MK @ West View, Choa Chu Kang Secondary School, Teck Whye Primary School, and Jurong Pioneer Junior College.
 
Back to top

HDB BTO Sep 2023 Kallang/Whampoa BTO overview and location

The Sep 2023 BTO launch will see three BTO projects in the Kallang/Whampoa estate. 

The first project is bounded by Jalan Tenteram and is located next to the Pan-Island Expressway (PIE) and Central Expressway (CTE). It comprises 1,040 units of 3-room and 4-room flats.

The second BTO project is located along Jalan Rajah, next to the Rajah Summit BTO in the February 2023 BTO sales exercise. It offers around 730 units of 2-room Flexi and 4-room flats. The first two BTO projects are closer to Toa Payoh and Potong Pasir, so future residents can expect to access the many amenities in both areas.

The last Kallang/Whampoa BTO project is located along Geylang Road and has 1,140 units of 2-room Flexi, 3-room, and 4-room flats. It’s also the most centrally located among the Kallang/Whampoa project and will likely be a PLH project. 

Let’s take a closer look at each of the Kallang/Whampoa BTO projects. 

Jalan Tentaram BTO

Source: HDB

Because of its location, the Jalan Tentaram BTO could be the least popular Kallang/Whampoa BTO project.

It isn’t very accessible as there isn’t an MRT station within proximity. The closest MRT station is Boon Keng MRT, which is 1.4km or around 18 mins on foot.

Future residents may also need to bear with sound pollution as the BTO is located at the intersection of the CTE and PIE. 

But unlike previous BTO launches in Kallang/Whampoa, the Jalan Tenteram BTO is located near schools, including St. Andrew’s Junior School, St. Andrew’s Secondary School, and Bendemeer Secondary School. 

Back to top

Jalan Rajah BTO

Source: HDB

The next Sep 2023 BTO project in Kallang/Whampoa is located along Jalan Rajah. Compared to the Jalan Tenteram BTO, the Jalan Rajah BTO is more accessible. Toa Payoh Town isn’t that far and is within walking distance.

From there, you can enjoy Toa Payoh’s various amenities and eateries. Toa Payoh MRT is about 1.1km (or 15 mins away by foot). There’s also the Toa Payoh Bus Interchange which provides convenient access around Toa Payoh and out of town. 

Sports enthusiasts will also be glad that SAFRA Toa Payoh, Toa Payoh Swimming Complex, and Toa Payoh Stadium are nearby.

Besides that, there are also a few nearby shopping malls in the area, including Balestier Plaza and Shaw Plaza.

As with other previous Kallang/Whampoa BTO projects, there aren’t many schools in the vicinity. The only two schools nearby are Bendemeer Secondary School and Hong Wen School. 

Geylang Road BTO

Source: HDB

The Geylang BTO project is located along Geylang Road, next to the Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE). 

It’s the most centrally located among the Kallang/Whampoa project and is just a 6-minute walk to the Kallang MRT station. Because of its locational attributes, this is likely to be a PLH project. 

It’s also a 9-minute walk from the Singapore Sports Hub and other sporting facilities in the area, including the Singapore Indoor Stadium, Kallang Squash & Tennis Centre, and Kallang Netball Centre. There are also other eateries in Kallang that are nearby.

However, one thing to note is that there isn’t a nearby school around. The closest schools in the area are Dunman Secondary School and Bendemeer Primary School, but they’re not nearby.

Back to top

HDB BTO Sep 2023 Queenstown BTO overview and location

Source: HDB

About 970 3-room and 4-room Queenstown BTO flats will be launched along Commonwealth Drive in the Tanglin Halt neighbourhood. The area is being rejuvenated as part of the Selective En Bloc Redevelopment Scheme (SERS) programme. 

In fact, the Queenstown Sep 2023 BTO sits on the former sites of Blocks 74 to 80, which were selected for SERS back in 2008.

The Queenstown BTO has excellent nearby amenities and accessibility; Commonwealth MRT station is within walking distance, as are other eating and lifestyle establishments in the area. Furthermore, Holland Village, Star Vista, Holland Drive Market and Food Centre, and Ghim Moh Market are nearby too.

Commuting to the CBD from Commonwealth MRT takes about 12 minutes, while one-north is also within walking distance.

There are also good schooling options in the vicinity, including reputable schools such as Anglo-Chinese School (International) and Anglo-Chinese Junior College.

Due to its prime location and accessibility to MRT stations, the Queenstown Sep 2023 BTO project will likely be another PLH site. Expect it to be oversubscribed.

Back to top 

HDB BTO Sep 2023 Tengah BTO overview and location

Source: HDB

The Sep 2023 Tengah BTO is bounded by Plantation Close and Plantation Crescent, next to Plantation Verge BTO in the May 2023 BTO exercise. 

Around 1,010 units ranging from 2-room Flexi to 5-room flats will be available for balloting. Tengah Park MRT (opening in 2028) will be located right next to the Tengah BTO flats. 

As Tengah is undergoing heavy development, there aren’t many amenities available. Future residents will have to access the amenities in Jurong East and Bukit Batok, including Le Quest Shopping Mall, West Mall, and JEM. 

Meanwhile, there is also a good selection of nearby schools, including Jurong Primary School, Jurongbille Secondary School, and Princess Elizabeth Primary School & MK @ Princess Elizabeth. Pioneer Primary School will relocate to its Tengah campus in 2025 and will be a short walk away.

Back to top

Will there be Sale of Balance Flats (SBFs) in Sep 2023?

HDB SBF launches happen twice a year and usually coincide with the BTO launches in May and November, so there won’t be any HDB SBF launches in the upcoming Sep 2023 HDB BTO sales exercise. You’ll need to wait until November 2023 if you're looking to purchase a SBF unit. 

Upcoming HDB BTO launch in November 2023

According to the HDB, there will be around 6,300 units offered in the Nov 2023 BTO launch:

• Bedok (Community Care Apartments, 2-room Flexi, 3-room, 4-room, and 5-room)
• Bishan (3-room and 4-room)
• Bukit Merah (2-room Flexi, 3-room, and 4-room)
• Bukit Panjang (2-room Flexi and 4-room)
• Jurong West (2-room Flexi, 3-room, 4-room, and 5-room)
• Queenstown (3-room and 4-room)
• Woodlands (2-room Flexi, 3-room, 4-room, and 5-room)

Further information on the Nov 2023 HDB BTO launch will be available during the Sep 2023 BTO launch. As usual, we’ll do an overview article when the HDB releases more information. So watch this space!

Guide To Open Booking Of HDB Flats
Everything You’ve Ever Needed to Ask About HDB Downpayments
7 Lesser-Known Things You Should Be Aware Of Before Purchasing A BTO Flat
Pros and Cons of Paying Your HDB Home Loan in Cash (Instead of Using Your CPF)
HDB BTO May 2023 Review: Bedok, Kallang/Whampoa, Serangoon, Tengah