Update as of 17 November 2021: This article has been updated with more information released during the November 2021 BTO launch.
In this November 2021 BTO launch, HDB will offer 4,501 flats across nine projects in two mature and four non-mature estates. One of the non-mature estate launches will be in Choa Chu Kang, where 68 2-room Flexi units will be available.
As mentioned in our overview published earlier, this BTO is the Yew Tee Integrated Development first announced in 2019. The project will cater to the elderly and be integrated with various amenities.
Here’s 99.co’s detailed review of the November 2021 BTO at Choa Chu Kang
Project name: Heart of Yew Tee
Location: Yew Tee Close, Choa Chu Kang Street 62 and Choa Chu Kang North 6
Classification: Non-mature estate
Number of units: 68 units (2-room Flexi)
Number of blocks: One 10-storey residential block (linked to a commercial block comprising amenities like hawker centre and polyclinic)
HDB’s estimated completion date: Q3 2026
Price range:
| Estimated floor area (sqm) | Number of units | Price range (excluding grants) | |
| 2-room Flexi (Type 1) | 38 | 22 | S$72k – S$78k |
| 2-room Flexi (Type 2) | 48 | 46 | S$86k – S$98k |
Applications will be open for those aged 55 years and above. The flats will be sold on short leases ranging between 15 and 45 years, in five-year increments. Each unit will come with elderly fittings, with the larger flat type having more space that can be used for another purpose, such as a study, dining area or an extra bed.
The last BTO launch in Choa Chu Kang was in August 2020 for Keat Hong Verge. For its 2-room Flexi flats, the overall application rate was 3.4, in which there were three senior applicants for every unit.
With that, let’s dive into the pros and cons of the November 2021 Choa Chu Kang BTO project.
November 2021 Choa Chu Kang BTO — The Pros
Accessibility
- Among the November 2021 BTO projects, Yew Tee Integrated Development will be one of the projects that’s closest to the MRT.
- It’s located right next to Yew Tee MRT, so it will just be a three-minute walk for residents.
- What’s more, Choa Chu Kang MRT, which is the interchange for Bukit Panjang LRT, will just be one stop away.
- Despite the ulu location, residents can access three MRT lines within a few stops: three stops to Thomson-East Coast Line (Woodlands MRT), four stops to North South Line (Jurong East MRT), and six stops to Downtown Line (Bukit Panjang MRT). Choa Chu Kang MRT will also be an interchange for the Jurong Region Line (JRL) come 2027.
- As for drivers, Kranji Expressway will just be a couple of minutes drive.
Food and retail amenities
- On top of that, residents will enjoy easy access to food and retail options.
- For starters, there will be a hawker centre located on the second floor in the commercial block of the development, meaning you can just head downstairs when you don’t feel like cooking. It will also be the first hawker centre in Choa Chu Kang.
- What’s more, there will be retail shops and commercial services available in the development.
- Yew Tee Integrated Development will also be right next to Yew Tee Square and Yew Tee Point, where the closest supermarket NTUC Fairprice is.
- For more retail options, you can head down to Limbang Shopping Centre and Lot One, which will take around a 10-minute bus ride.
Healthcare facilities
- Yew Tee Integrated Development will also be integrated with the upcoming Yew Tee Polyclinic and a kidney dialysis centre, providing more convenient healthcare access for residents. These will be located on levels 1 to 4 of the commercial block.
- For now, the closest polyclinic is Choa Chu Kang Polyclinic at around a 20-minute bus ride away.
- On the other hand, the nearest hospital, Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, will be a little further at around a 20-minute drive.
Recreational facilities
- Another facility that’s integrated with the BTO is a community club where residents can attend classes and mingle.
- There will also be shared community spaces where residents can mingle around. This includes community gardens and open-air landscaped decks that will link the residential and commercial blocks.
- For those who love the outdoors, there’s Yew Tee Park close by at around a 4-minute walk.
- Alternatively, you can head to Kranji Reservoir, where you can get a panoramic view of the Johor Straits. It’s around an 11-minute bus ride from Kranji MRT, which is one stop from Yew Tee MRT.
- And for those who are more active, there’s Choa Chu Kang Sports Centre a couple of streets away. It comprises a stadium, sports hall and swimming complex.
- Another option will be SAFRA Choa Chu Kang, located around 15 minutes away by bus. Slated to open in 2022, it will be the first SAFRA to have a sheltered pool and aqua gym.
Schools
- Since this Choa Chu Kang BTO is for the elderly, having several schools in the proximity is a bonus.
- The closest schools, De La Salle School, Unity Secondary and Kranji Primary, will all be within a 10-minute walk.
- Other schools nearby include Yew Tee Primary, Unity Primary, Regent Secondary, Kranji Secondary and Jurong Pioneer JC.
- Apart from the junior college, all of them are within 1km of the site.
Childcare centres
- Another bonus is that there’s a lot of childcare centres in the area. The nearest ones include My First Skool, Kiddy Campus and PCF Sparkletots at Choa Chu Kang Street 62 – all within a 3- to 7-minute walking distance.
- There’s an MOE Kindergarten at Kranji Primary as well.
Price
- Price wise, this integrated development has the cheapest price tag, given the flat type and short leases offered.
- Prices start from S$72,000 for a Type 1 flat, and S$86,000 for a Type 2 flat.
November 2021 Choa Chu Kang BTO — The Cons
Type of flats
- Only 2-room Flexi flats will be offered here. And they’re only open for those aged 55 years and above.
- This means that Yew Tee Integrated Development will be more for elderly singles and couples who live (or seek to live) on their own.
Oversubscription
- Yew Tee Integrated Development will definitely be oversubscribed, especially given the limited supply (68 units only) and its proximity to the MRT.
- As mentioned earlier, the previous launch in the estate in August 2020 saw an overall rate of 3.4 for 2-room Flexi flats. And during the Harmony Village @ Bukit Batok (which has a similar concept of housing for the elderly) launch in February 2021, the application rate was 4.2.
- So we can expect a similar application rate for this project.
What else we noted about the November 2021 Choa Chu Kang BTO
- Unlike most BTO projects, the concept for Yew Tee Integrated Development will be a vertical kampung. When it comes to public housing in this form, what we’ve seen so far in Singapore are Kampung Admiralty and Harmony Village @ Bukit Batok.
- Kampung Admiralty comprises housing for the elderly and various facilities like a hawker centre and specialist outpatient care. Each flat is fitted with elderly-friendly features such as hand railings. On the other hand, the flats at Harmony Village launched earlier this year are Community Care Apartments integrated with communal facilities like a hawker centre. One difference is that it also comes with service packages that include monitoring and basic health checks.
- As we’ve predicted in an earlier version of this article, Yew Tee Integrated Development is similar to Kampung Admiralty. It’s designed to provide the elderly with a more liveable and convenient environment.
- Looking at the site, we think there’s a low chance of getting unblocked views here. The area is surrounded by high-rise residential developments that are around 12 storeys tall, including Yew Tee Residences. And with only 68 units to be offered, the residential block will only be 10 storeys tall.
Our verdict on the November 2021 Choa Chu Kang BTO
We like that it’s convenient especially for the elderly, given its close proximity to amenities. In addition to being integrated with facilities like a polyclinic and hawker centre, it’s also very near the MRT and shopping centres.
So it’s suitable especially if you’ve been living in the area, where you can retire in a neighbourhood you’re familiar with. And given the large number of childcare facilities and schools nearby, it’s also good for those taking care of your grandchildren during the day.
The downside to this is that with the flats measuring 38 or 48 sqm, there might not be enough space if you plan to have them stay overnight.
November 2021 Choa Chu Kang BTO: Should you apply?
Yes, you should ballot for it especially if you’re downsizing and aren’t living with your children, since only 2-room Flexi flats will be up for grabs. Given its integration with communal and healthcare facilities, the Heart of Yew Tee project is designed for the elderly to live independently.
But with only 68 units to be offered, you’ll have to be prepared for stiff competition.
The 99.co crew visits Choa Chu Kang’s Yew Tee new town, including the upcoming BTO site! Check it out:
Will you apply for the November 2021 Choa Chu Kang BTO? Let us know in the comments section below .
If you found this article helpful, check out our overview of the November 2021 BTO projects and in-depth reviews:
- Hougang BTO November 2021
- Jurong West BTO November 2021
- Kallang/Whampoa BTO November 2021
- Rochor BTO November 2021
- Tengah BTO November 2021
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Frequently asked questions
When can I apply for the November 2021 BTO?
After the launch is announced in November, you can apply for BTO during the one-week application period.
How long does a BTO take to complete?
A BTO project typically takes around three to four years to complete. However, due to manpower and supply constraints, projects have been delayed. So a BTO can now take around five years to complete.
How many times can I buy a BTO?
As long as you’ve not bought a new HDB, DBSS or EC, or received a CPF Housing Grant before, you can buy a BTO up to two times.
Looking to sell your property?
Whether your HDB apartment is reaching the end of its Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) or your condo has crossed its Seller Stamp Duty (SSD) window, it is always good to know how much you can potentially gain if you were to list and sell your property. Not only that, you’ll also need to know whether your gains would allow you to right-size to the dream home in the neighbourhood you and your family have been eyeing.
One easy way is to send us a request for a credible and trusted property consultant to reach out to you.
Alternatively, you can jump onto 99.co’s Property Value Tool to get an estimate for free.
If you’re looking for your dream home, be it as a first-time or seasoned homebuyer or seller – say, to upgrade or right-size – you will find it on Singapore’s fastest-growing property portal 99.co.
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I like to buy the 2 room bto fiat..in cheap choo kang
What is the minimum age to qualify for this?
Most probably 55, just like for Kampung Admiralty (https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/new-integrated-facility-in-woodlands-opens-has-both-childcare-and-eldercare-facilities). But take note that another public housing retirement village, the Community Care Apartments at Bukit Batok, had a minimum age of 65 to qualify (https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/new-community-care-apartments-seniors-bukit-batok-offer-elder-friendly-features-services).