Isabelle Liew

Isabelle joined The Straits Times in 2021. As a journalist on the housing beat, she focuses on stories about public housing, covering everything from major policy announcements and Build-To-Order launches, to Housing Board resale market trends and other related issues. She graduated from the Singapore Management University with a degree in political science. Outside work, she is passionate about cats, animal welfare and baking.

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Extension of accreditation for architects, engineers from 1 year to 3 years in the works: Indranee

Second Minister for National Development Indranee Rajah said the extension will provide greater certainty for project planning.

HDB resale flat prices up 2.9% in 2025, slower than 9.7% rise in 2024

In the last three months of 2025, HDB resale prices in Singapore remained unchanged for the first time since the first quarter of 2020.

$47b to $53b in construction contracts expected in 2026: BCA

BCA expects total construction demand from 2027 to 2030 to range from $39 billion to $46 billion each year.

Longer rent commitment for HDB shops may prevent overbidding, though not in prime areas: Analysts

Aalysts cautioned that the move may not guarantee sensible bidding, as tenderers may still bid aggressively to secure shops in prime locations with high footfall.

Diners unfazed if budget meal options shrink, many prefer regular coffee shop fare

Most diners said they do not specifically seek out budget meals as they prefer to buy a meal to their liking.

Alarm clock sounds disrupt Tiong Bahru residents up to 8 times a day for over a month

Residents believe the noise came from a unit in Block 55 Tiong Bahru Road that has been unoccupied since early December.

Grouping HDB blocks with fewer units together for HIP voting under consideration: Chee Hong Tat

The programme can start when at least 75 per cent of a block’s eligible Singaporean households have voted for it.

Stallholders say HDB’s move to make budget meals optional offers some relief amid rising costs

The move also acknowledges shortcomings in the previous scheme, which had drawn some criticism over uneven food quality and low take-up among customers.

HDB coffee shops renewing leases no longer required to offer budget meals from Jan 10

The decision was made after operators and stallholders expressed concerns about rising costs and the low number of customers who bought such meals.

Bidders for HDB shops must commit to tendered rent over 6 years instead of 3

The measure applies to successful bidders of all HDB shops, including coffee shops and medical facilities.

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MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2026 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.