<P> In 1964, the Home Ownership Scheme was also introduced to help citizens to buy instead of renting their flats . Four years later, the government decided to allow people to use their Central Provident Fund savings as downpayment . However, these efforts were not successful enough then in convincing the people living in the squatter settlements to move into these flats . </P> <P> It was after 25 May 1961, the day of the Bukit Ho Swee fire, that HDB's efficiency and earnestness won the people over . </P> <P> The HDB estimated that from 1959 to 1969, an average of 147,000 housing units--80,000 from the current deficit, 20,000 due to the redevelopment of the Central Area, and 47,000 due to population increase--would need to be constructed; an average of about 14,000 a year . However, the private sector only had the ability to provide 2500 per year, and at price levels out of reach of the low - income . The HDB set out to resolve the deficit . Between 1960 and 1965, the HDB built 54,430 housing units . Due to land constraints, high - rise and high - density flats were chosen . By 1965, HDB was able to overcome the worst of the housing shortage by providing low - cost housing to the lower - income group within the planned period of five years . </P> <P> Several reasons contributed to the success of the HDB . Firstly, the HDB received very strong support from the government, which allocated a large amount of funds to public housing . The HDB was also equipped with legal powers such as the power to resettle squatters . The hard work and dedication of Lim Kim San, the first chairman of the HDB, and other members of the board, also contributed to its success . </P>

When was the first hdb flat built in singapore