The New Paper Nearly 1 in 3 HDB blocks has reached ethnic quota limits: Minister The EIP, introduced in 1989, sets racial quotas on flat ownership within each HDB block and neighbourhood. TNP FILE PHOTO Limits persistently reached in certain neighbourhoods, says Desmond Lee, underscoring importance of EIP MICHELLE NG 0 Engagements Nearly one in three Housing Board (HDB) blocks and 14 per cent of neighbourhoods have reached ethnic quota limits, underscoring the importance of having the Ethnic Integration Policy (EIP) in place to ensure social mixing, said National Development Minister Desmond Lee. The maxing out of racial quotas for flat ownership happens across all ethnic groups and in both mature and non-mature estates, he told the House yesterday, adding that the limits have persistently been reached in areas such as Bukit Merah, Pasir Ris and Woodlands.