New flats sold by HDB are priced at a discount to market. On top of this price discount, eligible first-timer families who buy a new flat can enjoy an Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG) of up to $80,000.

Those who prefer to move in quickly and/or have specific preferences on location may wish to buy a resale flat. First-timer families buying resale flats can enjoy up to $190,000 in housing grants, comprising the EHG ($80,000), CPF Housing Grant ($80,000), and Proximity Housing Grant (PHG) ($30,000).

Buyers can enjoy a higher chance of success if they apply for BTO flats in non-mature estates, which are generally well-developed today with good transport networks and easy access to amenities. In fact, most first-timer applicants are able to secure a flat in a non-mature estate within two tries, and almost certainly in their third attempt.

Find out more about the various schemes and grants here.

Second-timer families are those who have previously owned a subsidised flat. Besides existing homeowners, there are also second-timer families who are currently living in a rental flat. These families may have previously owned a flat, but encountered difficulties such as the loss of a loved one or unemployment, sold their flat, and are now staying in public rental housing. As second-timers, they find it harder to afford another HDB flat because they no longer qualify for housing grants, which are mostly given to first-timers. Many aspire to own a home again, to give themselves and their children a better future.

Homeowners who are applying for a second subsidised flat may receive the Step-Up CPF Housing Grant of $15,000, if they wish to upgrade from a 2-room subsidised flat in a non-mature estate to a 3-room flat in a non-mature estate.

Second-timer families who are rental tenants may also be apply for the Step-Up CPF Housing Grant if they buy a 2-room or 3-room flat in non-mature estates. Those with children may instead choose to apply for the Fresh Start Housing Scheme to buy a 2-room Flexi or 3-room short lease flat of their own, with the help of the Fresh Start Housing Grant of up to $50,000. These flats come with shorter leases, ranging from 45 to 65 years, to keep the price affordable. There is also a longer Minimum Occupation Period of 20 years, to ensure a stable home for the children.

Find out more about the Step-Up CPF Housing Grant here.

Find out more about the Fresh Start Housing Scheme here. 

Elderly citizens looking to right-size can apply for a 2-room Flexi flat, which allows them to enjoy the flexibility of choosing the length of lease of their flat based on their age, needs, and preferences, as long as the remaining lease can last them till at least age 95 years. The lease can range from 15 to 45 years, in 5-year increments.

Find out more about 2-Room Flexi Flats here. 

At least 40% of 2-room Flexi flats are reserved for elderly applicants, with half of this set aside under the Senior Priority Scheme (SPS). This scheme gives elderly citizens who wish to age-in-place in a familiar environment or live near their parents or married children priority in buying a 2-room Flexi flat.

Find out more about the various priority schemes here. 

Seniors who sell their current flat and buy a 3-room or smaller flat may consider taking up the Silver Housing Bonus (SHB). Under the SHB, seniors will receive a cash bonus of up to $30,000 when they top- up part of the proceeds they get from the housing transactions into their CPF Retirement Account.

Seniors who wish to monetise their flats to enhance their retirement funds while continuing to live in their homes can also take up the Lease Buyback Scheme (LBS). Under the LBS, eligible flat owners have the flexibility to choose the length of lease to retain, as long as the remaining lease can cover them till at least age 95. They can then sell the remaining flat lease to HDB. Seniors will have to top up part of the proceeds from the lease sale into their CPF Retirement Account, and join CPF LIFE to receive a monthly income stream for life.  

Find out more about the various monetisation options here.

Singles can buy a flat on their own under the Single Singapore Citizen Scheme (SSC), or with their single siblings, relatives or friends under the Joint Singles Scheme (JSS). Orphans can also buy a flat under the Orphans Scheme.

Under the SSC, singles can enjoy an EHG (Singles) of up to $40,000 when they buy a new flat from HDB, and up to $80,000 in housing grants when they buy a resale flat, comprising the EHG (Singles) ($40,000), Singles Grant ($25,000) and PHG ($15,000).

Find out more about the SSC here.

With the JSS, eligible buyers can enjoy up to $80,000 in housing grants for new flats and $160,000 for resale flats.  

Find out more about the JSS here.

Support of Marriage and Parenthood

Applicants with children or planning to stay close to their parents can take advantage of HDB’s various priority schemes.

For instance, married couples who are expecting a child or already have children can apply for the Parenthood Priority Scheme (PPS) or the Third Child Priority Scheme (TCPS). The PPS gives priority to first-timer married couples who are expecting or have children younger than 16 years old, by setting aside up to 30 per cent of the BTO flat supply for these families. Besides the PPS, families with three or more children will enjoy priority under the TCPS, where HDB sets aside up to 5 per cent of the flat supply.  

Promote Mutual Care and Support

Another scheme is the Married Child Priority Scheme, applicable for married children who wish to live together or close to their parents for mutual care and support. Under this scheme, up to 30 per cent and 15 per cent of the BTO/SBF flat supply is set aside for first-timer and second-timer applicants, respectively. In addition, those who apply for a new pair of flats with their parents in the same BTO project can enjoy priority under the Multi-Generation Priority Scheme. 

Help Low Income and Vulnerable Families

Some families may need help accessing a flat more quickly, following major life changes such as divorce or demise of family member. Under the Assistance Scheme for Second-Timers (Divorced/Widowed Parents) (ASSIST), second-timers with children aged 18 and below will get priority if they apply for a 2-room or 3-room BTO flat in the non-mature estates. When purchasing a flat, a divorcee with sole care and control of a child has the same housing access as married households.

Unwed parents aged 21 and above can be allowed to buy a 3-room flat in non-mature estates or a resale flat with their child on a case-by-case basis. Those who cannot afford to buy any flat will be considered for public rental flat. Unwed parents who wish to purchase or rent a flat should approach HDB directly with their request.

Public rental families who are ready for homeownership can also benefit from the Tenants’ Priority Scheme (TPS), which sets aside up to 10 per cent of the 2-room Flexi and 3-room BTO and SBF flat supply. 

Find out more about the various priority schemes here.

Providing temporary accommodation for Singaporeans

The Public Rental Scheme helps low-income Singaporean households who are unable to afford a homeownership flat and do not have family support with a 1 or 2-room public rental flat for as low as $26 per month. To ensure that public rental flats cater to those without other housing options, households are assessed on a needs-basis at the point of application and tenancy renewals.

Majority of families with more than two persons are renting 2-room public rental flats. Single persons who are unable to form a family nucleus may apply with another eligible single under the Joint Singles Scheme to rent a 1-room public rental flat. To enhance privacy, HDB offers flats with partitions to JSS households and where feasible, HDB will also install partitions in-situ upon request.

First-timer families who are awaiting completion of their booked flats may rent a 3 or 4-room flat under the Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS) at subsidised rents.

Find out more about the various rental schemes here.