Buying your first home is one of the major milestones in life. But as exciting as planning your renovation and housewarming party may be, finding out how much your BTO flat or resale will cost you might turn that smile upside down real quick. That is where HDB housing grants come in handy to help lessen the strain on your finances.
Whether you’re a family finding a forever home or a Single Pringle seeking an investment property, here’s a comprehensive guide to all the relevant housing grants you can apply for to shave up to $160,000 off the cost of your home.
P.S. This guide is best for first-time homebuyers (singles and couples) and families who are looking for a new flat.
– Couples & Families –
Enhanced Housing Grant (Families)
First-time couples looking to buy a home should consider the Enhanced Housing Grant (EHG) for Families. This grant can help offset the amount for both BTO and Resale flats, and eligible couples can get a grant of up to $80,000.
To be eligible for the full amount granted by the EHG, your flat of choice should have sufficient time left on the lease to cover the youngest buyer and/or spouse till they are 95 years old. Otherwise, the amount granted will be prorated.
Types of flats eligible for the EHG (Family):
- BTO
- Resale
Qualifying Criteria:
- At least one applicant must have worked for a continuous period of 12 months
- If buying a resale property, must also qualify for the Family Grant (more below)
- The lease of the flat must be more than 20 years
Income Ceiling:
- Both first-time applicants: Below $9,000 in average gross monthly household income for the past 12 months
- First-time and second-time applicants: Below $4,500 for half the average gross monthly household income
How much is granted:
- First-time applicants: $5,000-$80,000
- First-time and second-time applicants: $2,500-$40,000
Find out more about the Enhanced Housing Grant for Families
CPF Housing Grant for Resale Flats (Family Grant)
The CPF Housing Grant for Resale Flats, also known as the Family Grant, is perfect for couples and families who are buying a resale flat as the name suggests. The grant can award up to $50,000 to eligible families, and it can also be combined with the EHG and Proximity Housing Grant (PHG) to shave off even more.
Types of flats eligible for the Family Grant:
- 2-room or bigger resale flats
Qualifying Criteria:
- A couple must be made up of at least one Singaporean Citizen
- The other applicant must be a Singaporean Citizen or a Permanent Resident
- Be at least 21 years old
- At least one applicant must not have received a housing subsidy prior
- The lease of the flat must be more than 20 years
Income Ceiling:
- Below $14,000 in average gross monthly household income for the past 12 months
- Below $21,000 in average gross monthly household income if purchasing with an extended or multi-generational family
How much is granted:
- First-time applicants
- 2- to 4-room flat: $50,000 for SC/SC, $40,000 for SC/PR
- 5-room flat and above: $40,000 for SC/SC, $30,000 for SC/PR
- First-time and second-time applicants (Half-housing Grant):
- 2- to 4-room flat: $25,000 for SC/SC, $20,000 for SC/PR
- 5-room flat and above: $20,000 for SC/SC, $15,000 for SC/PR
Find out more about the Family Grant
Executive Condominium Grant
Family Grants also apply to purchases of Executive Condominiums, albeit with a slight difference.
Qualifying Criteria:
- Couple must be made up of at least one Singaporean Citizen
- Other applicant must be a Singaporean Citizen or a Permanent Resident
Income Ceiling:
- For dual Singaporean Citizen households
- Below $12,000 in average gross monthly household income for the past 12 months
- For a Singaporean Citizen x Permanent Resident household
- Below $11,000 in average gross monthly household income for the past 12 months
How much is granted:
- $10,000-$30,000 for dual Singapore Citizen households
- $10,000-$20,000 for a Singaporean Citizen x Permanent Resident household
Find out more about Executive Condominium Grants
Step-Up Housing Grant
If you and your family have already outgrown the first house you bought, the Step-Up Housing Grant will help tremendously towards a new property. The grant awards a full $15,000, but it’s only eligible for a certain category of housing.
Types of flats eligible for the Step-Up Housing Grant:
- 2- and 3-room BTO & resale flats in non-mature estates
Qualifying Criteria:
- Married couples or families who have already taken one housing subsidy
- Either half of the couple must have worked for 12 consecutive months before the application
- The lease of the flat must be more than 20 years
Income Ceiling:
- Below $7,000
How much is granted:
- $15,000
Find out more about the Step-Up Housing Grant
Proximity Housing Grant for Families
Living near your parents or in-laws can be great for multiple reasons, but the greatest might just be your eligibility for the Proximity Housing Grant. As long as your resale flat is within 4km of your parents’ or children’s
Types of flats eligible for the Proximity Housing Grant:
- Resale flats
Qualifying Criteria:
- The couple must be made up of at least one Singaporean Citizen
- Other applicant must be a Singaporean Citizen or a Permanent Resident
- Be at least 21 years old
- The lease of the flat must be more than 20 years
Income Ceiling:
- None
How much is granted:
- $30,000 to live with your parents or children
- $20,000 to live within 4km of your parents or children
Find out more about the Proximity Housing Grant
Top-Up Grant
Single Pringles who bought a house, got married, and are now looking for a new home should check out the Top-Up Grant to aid with their move.
Types of flats eligible for the Top-up Grant:
- Resale flats
Qualifying Criteria:
- Couple must be made up of at least one Singaporean Citizen
- Other applicant must be a Singaporean Citizen or a Permanent Resident
- Must have previously received the Singles Grant (more below) and no other housing subsidy
- The lease of the flat must be more than 20 years
Income Ceiling:
- $14,000
How much is granted:
- The amount granted by the Family Grant minus what was granted by the Singles Grant
Find out more about the Top-Up Grant
Scenario for newly-wed/engaged couples:
Let’s take a look at Brendan and Natasha. The hypothetical couple are both Singaporean Citizens, newly-engaged, and have an average monthly combined household income of $4,800 working full-time jobs for the past 12 months. The first-time homeowners are also looking for a 4-room resale flat that’s near their parents home to move in fast.
Based on their profile, they will be eligible for the following grants for a total of:
- Enhanced Housing Grant – $45,000
- Family Grant – $50,000
- Proximity Housing Grant – $20,000
In total, they will receive $115,000 in grants that will be deposited into their CPF Ordinary Accounts to help offset the purchase price of their flat, thereby reducing their home loans.
Another couple, Cheryl and Daniel, have a similar profile to Brendan and Natasha except they’re earning less than $1,500 monthly combined. This, however, makes them eligible for the maximum grant the EHG can give which is $80,000. They are also willing to live with their parents so their Proximity Housing Grant is bumped up to $30,000. In total, they will receive $160,000 worth of grants:
- Enhanced Housing Grant – $80,000
- Family Grant – $50,000
- Proximity Housing Grant – $30,000
– Singles –
Enhanced Housing Grant (Singles)
Single Singaporeans aren’t exempt from housing grants, although they are only allowed to start applying for housing when they turn 35 years of age or if they are above 21 years of age with a non-resident spouse. The Singles’ version of the EHG can award up to $40,000 per applicant.
Types of flats eligible for the EHG (Singles):
- BTO
- Resale flats
Qualifying Criteria:
- Applicant must be at least 35 years old OR
- Be at least 21 years old with a non-resident spouse
- At least one applicant must have worked for the past 12 months continuously
- The lease of the flat must be more than 20 years
Income Ceiling:
- $4,500 for singles buying a flat on their own or with a non-resident spouse
- $9,000 if buying a flat with other singles, or a resale flat with parents
How much is granted:
- $2,500-$40,000 depending on income
Find out more about the Enhanced Housing Grant (Singles)
CPF Housing Grant for Resale Flats (Singles Grant)
Single house hunters can also make use of the Housing Grant for Resale Flats, albeit with the grant amount halved in place of their singledom.
Types of flats eligible for the Singles Grant:
- Resale flats
- Up to a 5-room for singles
- Any flat type for 2 or more singles
Qualifying Criteria:
- Applicant must be at least 35 years old OR
- Be at least 21 years old with a non-resident spouse
- At least one applicant must have worked for the past 12 months continuously
- The lease of the flat must be more than 20 years
Income Ceiling:
- $7,000 average gross monthly household income if purchasing a flat on their own
- $14,000 average gross monthly household income if purchasing a flat with parents or other singles
How much is granted:
- 2- to 4-room flat: $25,000 per applicant (up to 2)
- 5-room flat and above: $20,000 per applicant (up to 2)
Find out more about the Singles Grant
Proximity Housing Grant for Singles
Aside from free food on weekends, singles who choose to live near or with their parents can also get perks like the Proximity Housing Grant to offset at least $10,000 from their home purchase price.
Types of flats eligible for the Proximity Housing Grant:
- Resale flats
- 2- to 5-room flat for singles living near parents
- Any flat type for singles living with parents or
Qualifying Criteria:
- Applicant must be a Singaporean Citizen at least 35 years old OR
- Be at least 21 years old with a non-resident spouse
- The lease of the flat must be more than 20 years
Income Ceiling:
- None
How much is granted:
- $15,000 to live with your parents or children
- $10,000 to live within 4km of your parents
Find out more about the Proximity Housing Grant for Singles
Scenario for singles above 35 who want to move out:
Ashley and Ben are two single Singaporeans who are looking to finally buy a house in Singapore after turning 35 years old.
Ashley who works full time and makes an average monthly income of $3,500 wants to get a BTO flat. She’ll only be eligible for the Enhanced Housing Grant for a maximum of $12,500. If she buys the flat together with another eligible single friend – who pulls in the same wage as her – they’ll also get an additional $12,500 in the grant for a total of $25,000.
Meanwhile, Ben wants to get a resale flat near his parents. He earns only $2,500 a month and is looking for a 4-room resale flat. With that profile, he’ll be eligible for $57,000 in grants. Here’s the breakdown:
- Enhanced Housing Grant – $22,500
- Singles Grant – $25,000
- Proximity Housing Grant – $10,000
Hypothetically, the maximum amount that single Singaporeans can get from housing grants is $80,000, but they have to fit this profile:
- Total monthly average household income $1,500 and below: $40,000 from the EHG
- First-time applicant for a 4-room resale flat: $25,000 from the Singles Grant
- Living with their parents: $15,000 from the Proximity Housing Grant
HDB housing grants to apply for
It might seem as though you’re better off finding a resale flat on the market as that will get you more grants. However, there’s a good reason for that: resale flats are typically more expensive than BTO flats, the latter of which is already highly subsidised by HDB. Here’s a brief rundown of the pros and cons of BTOs vs Resale flats:
This list of grants that budding homeowners should bookmark is also not exhaustive. There are also other grants available for senior citizens. However, those grants are only applicable for leases in Community Care Apartments or smaller 2-room Flexi flats.
Read our other explainer articles:
- Housing terms explained in plain English
- What are Sale of Balance Flats
- Applying for a BTO as a student
- Average cost of renovation in 2022
- High-floor vs low-floor HDBs
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