CPF housing grant eligibility is crucial when buying an HDB flat, especially for first-timers eyeing a BTO or buying resale flat for the first time. Getting a CPF housing grant, also known as an HDB grant or resale grant, is essential for many as it helps make homes more ‘affordable.’
However, multiple grants and eligibility scenarios need to be clarified. From proximity housing grants to enhanced CPF housing grants, the guide will explore CPF housing grants and how to qualify for them. Let’s get started.
What Are CPF Housing Grants?
CPF (Central Provident Fund) are housing grants that are financial incentives provided by the Singapore government to help their citizens to purchase their own homes. These grants make it easier and more affordable for people to buy homes, particularly those with low salaries or first-time buyers.
Below is the list of CPF Housing Grant:
- Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG)
- CPF Housing Grant for Family
- Proximity Housing Grant
- Step-Up CPF Housing Grant
- Single Grant HDB
The amount, conditions, and eligibility criteria vary for each grant. The applicant should meet specific requirements if he wants to receive these grants. The grants are provided on top of the CPF savings that applicants can use to pay for the down payment on their homes. Moreover, the grants can be used to purchase HDB flats and executive condominiums.
CPF Housing Subsidies Available for Various Flat Types
The HDB grant eligibility will largely depend on the following factors:
- Type of HBD flat like BTO flat, Open Booking of Flats, Sale of Balance Flats (SBF) flat, Resale flats, or executive condominium (EC).
- First-time or second-time applicant (or previous HDB grant recipient).
- Purchasing as a family/couple or as a single individual.
- Income ceiling.
Let’s take a look at what grants are on the table for each flat:
- BTO/SBF Flat: The Enhanced Housing Grant (EHG) is available for you, ranging from $5,000 to $80,000.
- Resale HDB Flat: You could receive the Enhanced Housing Grant (EHG), Family Grant, and Proximity Housing Grant, which adds to a total of $65,000 to $190,000!
- Executive Condominium: If you’re interested in ECs, you may be eligible for the Family Grant, which ranges from $5,000 to $30,000.
| At A Glance | |||
| Flat Type | Type of Grant | Grant Amount | Income Ceiling |
| BTO/SBF Flat | Enhanced Housing Grant | Up to $80,000 | $9,000 |
| Resale HDB Flat | CPF Housing Grant for Family
(4Rm or smaller) |
Up to $80,000 |
– Up to $14,000 – Extended Family: Up to $21,000 |
| CPF Housing Grant for Family
(5Rm or larger) |
Up to $50,000 | ||
| Enhanced Housing Grant | Up to $80,000 | $9,000 | |
| Proximity Housing Grant | Up to $30,000 | No ceiling | |
| Executive Condo | Family Grant | Up to $30,000 | $12,000 |
Last updated as at 16 Feb 2023
Do take note that Singapore Permanent Resident (SPR) households will not be able to receive the CPF Housing Grants as well as BTO application unless there is a Singapore citizen in the application.
1. Enhanced CPF Housing Grant – BTO and Resale HDB
This amazing grant is designed to help local lower to middle-class couples achieve their homeownership goals, regardless of the size of the flat or estate they choose. Whether you’re looking to buy a brand new HDB BTO/SBF flat or a HDB resale flat, the enhanced CPF housing grant has got you covered.
Who Qualifies for This Grant?
If you’re a Singaporean couple or family earning $9,000 or less per month, with at least one member working for at least a year, the grant amount varies from $5,000 to $80,000. It is directly proportional to your household income. The lower your earnings, the higher the grant amount.
- For Singles
You can enjoy the benefits of the enhanced CPF housing grant. If you’re aged 35 or above and earn less than $4,500 per month, you’re eligible for up to $40,000 as an HDB resale grant for a flat.
- For Foreigners
If you’re married to a Singapore citizen, you too can receive up to $40,000 under the Non-Citizen Spouse Scheme from age 21.
Note: Refer to here if you want to have a deeper understanding of Enhanced CPF Housing Grant
2. CPF Housing Grant: For Resale Flats
First-Time Families, Married, And Engaged Couples:
For Singapore Citizen (SC) households, you could receive a whopping $80,000 grant for 2- to 4-room resale flats and $50,000 for resale flats with 5-rooms or larger. The grant amount for SC-Singapore Permanent Resident (SPR) households is $40,000 for 2- to 4-room resale flats and $30,000 for 5-room or more extensive resale flats.
But before you start packing your bags, here are a few eligibility conditions you need to meet:
- Monthly Household Income Ceiling
Couples with an income of $14,000 or lower are eligible, while extended or multi-generation families with an income of $21,000 or less may apply.
- Employment
One of the applicants must have been working for at least a year.
Flat type: The flat must be two rooms or larger.
Remaining flat lease: The remaining lease must be more than 20 years.
- Household Status
All family members buying the resale flat must be first-timer applicants and must not have owned or purchased any HDB property, including Executive Condominiums (EC), Design, Build, and Sell Scheme (DBSS) flats, or received any housing subsidy.
- Ownership
All applicants must refrain from owning any property locally or overseas or disposing of them 30 months before the flat application. They must also only invest in private residential property from the date of the flat application after the 5-year Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) is fulfilled.
For households with a Singaporean and a foreigner, the Non-Citizen Spouse Scheme is available with grants of $25,000 for 2- to 4-room resale flats and $20,000 for 5-room resale flats. The gross monthly household income must be at most $14,000, and all applicants must be first-time applicants.
3. Proximity Housing Grant (PHG): For Resale Flats
If you desire to strengthen the bond with your loved ones, then the proximity housing grant (PHG) is here to make that happen. The best part? There are no income restrictions, so whether you’re a high-earner or not, you can still enjoy the benefits.
What Exactly Do You Need to Know About The PHG?
Firstly, you’ll need to live within 4 km of your parents or children. And don’t worry. You’re still eligible for the grant if your parents or children live on private property. But here’s a catch: if you’re a parent buying a flat for your child, you won’t qualify.
The amount of HDB grant for a resale flat varies depending on whether you live within 4 km of your parents/children or live with them. If you opt to live within 4 km, you’ll receive $20,000, while living with them will net you $30,000. Singles are included, too, as they’ll receive $10,000 for living within 4 km of their parents and $15,000 for living with them.
To be eligible for the PHG, the resale flat must be 2 rooms or larger and have a remaining lease of more than 20 years. And, if you’ve received the PHG before, you won’t be eligible this time.
4. Step-Up CPF Housing Grant: For Resale and BTO Flat
If you’re ready to leap from an HDB flat with 2 rooms in a non-mature estate to a 3-room flat, the step-up CPF housing grant could be your ticket to a better home. With a grant amount of $15,000, you’ll be one step closer to your dream home.
This grant isn’t just for first-time applicants – it’s also available for second-timer families who are currently rental tenants. The eligibility criteria include a monthly average household income ceiling of $7,000 and at least one applicant working for a year before the flat application.
The step-up CPF housing grant is available for 2-room resale flats, 2-room Flexi flats, and 3-room flats in non-mature estates. The remaining lease on your apartment must be more than 20 years, and you, along with the other applicants, must not have owned or been given any properties within the past 30 months, either in Singapore or abroad
5. CPF Housing Grants: For Executive Condominiums
Take advantage of the exciting opportunity to receive grants when you purchase from HDB. The grant amount you receive depends on your income and household type, ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 for SC households and $10,000 to $20,000 for SC-SPR households.
To be eligible for these grants, your monthly household income must be $12,000 or less, and at least one applicant must be an SC.
On 14 February 2023, our Finance Minister, Mr Lawrence Wong, has announced in his Budget Day 2023 that much more support will be given to help families to secure their BTO or resale flat moving forward. I believe that extra support from the government will allow more people to buy their first home especially in the resale HDB market.
In other words, will the increase demand in the resale market push the prices up further?
Final Thoughts
The HDB and CPF housing grants are financial incentives the Singapore government provides to help citizens purchase their homes. Eligibility for these grants depends on factors such as the type of HDB flat, income ceiling, and household status. Some available grants include the HDB enhanced housing grant, family grant, singles grant, and proximity housing grant. Applicants must meet certain conditions, such as household income and employment status, to be eligible. These grants can be used to purchase HDB flats, executive condominiums, or private properties.
Jimmy Sum is a professional real estate agent in the Singapore property market with more than 10 years of experience. If you need any professional advice on your asset progression journey or need some assistance in selling, buying or renting your property, you can feel free to send him an Whatsapp at +65 90918188.
