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Government Policies and Household Mobility Behaviour in Singapore

Author

Listed:
  • Poh Har Neo

    (Department of Real Estate, School of Design and Environment, National University of Singapore, 10 Kent Ridge Crescent, Singapore 119260., rstnph@nus.edu.sg)

  • Nai Jia Lee

    (Department of Real Estate, School of Design and Environment, National University of Singapore, 10 Kent Ridge Crescent, Singapore 119260., rstlnj@nus.edu.sg)

  • Seow Eng Ong

    (Department of Real Estate, School of Design and Environment, National University of Singapore, 10 Kent Ridge Crescent, Singapore 119260. seong@nus.edu.sg)

Abstract

This paper provides a rigorous study on the change in Central Provident Fund (CPF) policy in Singapore on 1 September 2002, on household mobility in general and on the affordability and accessibility of potential home-buyers in particular. The change brought about increased accessibility but reduced affordability for home-buyers. The latter has an impact on the shortfall months which are positively related to changes in mortgage rate, mortgage term and property price and negatively related to the amount of CPF available for home purchases. Further, the low critical price that households can afford without experiencing any shortfall implies that the majority of public and private home-buyers will be affected by the policy change. Consequently, the improvement in accessibility by allowing the use of CPF for downpayment may stimulate demand at the cost of higher financial risk to home-buyers and mortgage lenders.

Suggested Citation

  • Poh Har Neo & Nai Jia Lee & Seow Eng Ong, 2003. "Government Policies and Household Mobility Behaviour in Singapore," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 40(13), pages 2643-2660, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:40:y:2003:i:13:p:2643-2660
    DOI: 10.1080/0042098032000146821
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    References listed on IDEAS

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