Housing Schemes and Grants

Access to Public Housing

Fiancé / Fiancée Scheme
In a committed relationship and planning to set up a new home together? You can apply for a new or resale Housing & Development Board (HDB) flat even before officially registering your marriage. Click to find out more about the Fiancé-Fiancée Scheme if you are buying a new flat or resale flat.

Income Ceiling 
The monthly household income ceiling to purchase a subsidised flat* is $14,000. If you wish to buy an Executive Condominium, the monthly household income ceiling is $16,000.

*A subsidised flat refers to a new flat bought from the HDB, or a resale flat bought with the CPF Housing Grant.

First-Timer Privileges

Flat Allocation & Ballot Chances   
First-time home-buyers have a better chance of getting a Build-To-Order flat. First-timer families receive at least two ballot chances, compared to one for second-time families. HDB also sets aside the majority of three-room and larger flats for first-timer families.

First-time Parents and Married Couples FT(PMC)s 
First-timer families with a child aged 18 and below, and first-timer married couples aged 40 and below, will receive greater priority from August 2023. FT(PMC)s will receive an additional ballot for their flat applications on top of the two ballot chances given to first-timer families.

Priority Schemes

Family and Parenthood Priority Scheme 
Under the Family and Parenthood Priority Scheme (FPPS), FT(PMC) applicants, as well as expectant parents, have priority when applying for an HDB flat. In addition, from the October 2024 BTO launch, FT(PMC) applicants who apply for a 4-room or smaller Standard BTO flat will receive first priority under the FPPS.

Married Child Priority Scheme
If you are applying for a flat to live with or near your parents, you can consider the Married Child Priority Scheme. Up to 30 per cent of BTO flats/SBF units (for first-timers) and up to 5 per cent of BTO flats/up to 3 per cent of SBF units (for second-timers) are set aside for eligible applicants. Parents who wish to live near or with their married child can also apply for flats under this priority scheme within eligible areas. 

Third Child Priority Scheme
Larger families, such as those with at least three children, are eligible for this scheme, regardless of whether they are first- or second-timed households. Up to 5 per cent of BTO flats/SBF units have been set aside for them.

Click here to find out more about the various priority schemes.

Housing Grants

For New HDB Flats
New flats such as BTO flats are generously subsidised. In addition, first-timer couples buying a new flat (excluding ECs) can apply for the Enhanced CPF Housing Grant  of up to $80,000 for any flat type and in any estate. Families with lower household incomes will receive a larger grant amount. You can apply for the grant if your combined monthly income is $9,000 or less. The grant amount is tiered, depending on the average gross monthly household income for the 12 months prior to the flat application.

For Resale HDB Flats
First-timer couples buying a resale HDB flat can receive housing grants of up to $190,000, comprising the CPF Housing Grant for Resale Flats (Families) of up to $80,000, Enhanced CPF Housing Grant of up to $80,000 and Proximity Housing Grant of up to $30,000. If you have a combined monthly household income of $14,000 or less, you can apply for the CPF Housing Grant for Resale Flats (Families) of up to $80,000 for four-room or smaller resale flats, and $50,000 for five-room or larger resale flats.

In addition, if you have a combined income of $9,000 or less, you can apply for the Enhanced CPF Housing Grant of up to $80,000. This grant is tiered based on income, so families with lower household incomes will receive a larger grant amount, and families will receive a pro-rated amount if the remaining lease on the flat cannot cover the youngest buyer/spouse till the age of 95.

In addition, you may receive a Proximity Housing Grant of $20,000 if you buy a resale flat to live near (i.e. within 4km) your parents or child, or $30,000 if you buy a resale flat to live with your parents or child.

Flexibility for Young Couples

Deferment of Income Assessment for Housing Grants and Loan
First-timer couples who (a) are full-time students or in full-time National Service, or (b) have recently completed their studies or National Service and are planning for marriage, can apply for a flat first. You can defer your income assessment for housing grants and loan till nearer to your key collection appointment. From the June 2024 sales launch, these couples can also pay a reduced initial downpayment of 2.5% of their flat price under the Staggered Downpayment Scheme, regardless of their financing option for their flat. The remaining downpayment will be paid at key collection.

Staggered Downpayment Scheme
The Staggered Downpayment Scheme lets you pay your HDB downpayment in two instalments. If at least one applicant is aged 30 years or younger at the point of application, as a first-timer couple, you can pay the downpayment in two stages – 5 per cent when you sign the Agreement for Lease (for those taking a HDB loan), and the remaining upon key collection. Young couples eligible to defer their income assessment for housing grants and loan can pay a further reduced initial downpayment of 2.5%, as detailed above.

Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme
The Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme is an additional interim housing option for eligible citizen families waiting for their new flats to be completed. Families may qualify if they have booked an uncompleted flat in HDB’s sales exercise, and have a monthly household income of $7,000 or below. From July 2024, PPHS-eligible families renting a HDB flat or bedroom on the open market can also tap on the one-year PPHS (Open Market) Voucher for support. Eligible families will receive $300 per month, or up to $3,600 if they qualify for the full year of support.

Click to find out more about the flats offered for application, rental rates, and the full eligibility criteria.