Do you know about the Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS)? If you haven’t, and are urgently looking for a roof over your head while waiting for your BTO flat to be ready, read on.
We have seen the trend of more people going the resale route or renting on the open market, especially with the recent announcement that Build-To-Order projects could be delayed by a year or more.
Especially for couples who can’t wait to settle down and start their family, or single parents with children, having a place of their own is pertinent.
In fact, the COVID-19 construction delays bring about a domino effect that not only affects BTO completion, but also weddings and even childbirth. This has put pressure on property prices for resale units, as well as the demand for interim rental HDB flats.
Read more: Record 87 HDB flats sold for at least $1mil in the first five months of 2021
Speaking of interim rental HDB flats, there were just 160 available last year but an overwhelming 2,350 applications under the Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS). In comparison, this was double the demand in 2019, when there were only 1,370 applications received.
Let’s delve deeper into the PPHS, how to apply for interim housing, and where these flats are located:
Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS): What Is It?
Two decades ago, in 2001, the government introduced the Marriage and Parenthood (M&P) Package, a set of pro-family incentives and benefits to encourage more Singaporeans to get married and have kids. This was in light of our declining birth rate, which has been below the replacement rate of 2.1 since 1977.
In 2013, the M&P was enhanced, with more benefits that included government-paid paternity leave as well as the Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS).
Under the PPHS, married couples and family units who have booked an uncompleted unit (BTO or sales of balance) can get interim rental housing through HDB. This means they can pay subsidised rents for a HDB flat (2-room, 3-room or 4-room) rather than renting from the open market.
Related articles:
- Top 5 HDB Estates for Renting in Singapore: Our Agents Share Why These Areas Are So Hot
- HDB for Rent: 4-Room Flats That You Can Rent Monthly for 2.5K or Less
- HDB Room Rentals Under 800 Dollars in Singapore for Those on a Budget
Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS) Rental Prices
In addition to the monthly rental payments, those who successfully get an interim rental flat via HDB through PPHS will need to pay stamp fees and a 1-month rent deposit when the tenancy agreement is signed.
Here are the latest rental rates, as seen on HDB’s website:
|
PPHS Rental Flat Location |
Rental Rate and Flat Type |
|
Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3, 4 and 10 |
$800 (3-room) |
|
Bukit Batok West Avenue 5 |
$500 (2-room) |
|
Bedok North Street 1 and Bedok Reservoir Road |
$700 (3-room) |
|
Bukit Merah Lane 1, Jalan Bukit Merah, Lengkok Bahru and Redhill Lane |
$700 (3-room) |
|
Telok Blangah Rise |
$900 (3-room) |
|
Tiong Bahru Road |
$900 (3-room), $1,500 (4-room) |
|
Choa Chu Kang Ave 7 |
$400 (2-room) |
|
Jalan Berseh, Jalan Kukoh and Jalan Minyak |
$800 (3-room) |
|
Clementi West Street 2 |
$900 (3-room) |
|
Circuit Road, Eunos Crescent, Old Airport Road, Sims Place and Aljunied Avenue 2 |
$600 or $800 (3-room) |
|
Hougang Avenue 5 and 7 |
$600 (3-room) |
|
Thomson Road |
$700 (3-room) |
|
Marine Parade Central |
$800 (3-room) |
|
Commonwealth Drive and Stirling Road |
$700 (3-room) |
|
Toa Payoh and Upper Aljunied Lane |
$700 or $800 (3-room) |
|
Boon Lay Drive, Ho Ching Road, Yuan Ching Road and Yung Kuang Road |
$600 or $700 (3-room) |
|
Sumang Lane |
$500 (2-room) |
|
Canberra Street and Sembawang Drive |
$400 (2-room) |
|
Marsiling Drive, Marsiling Lane, Woodlands St 31 and Woodlands Rise |
$400 (2-room) or $600 (3-room) |
|
Yishun Ring Road |
$600 or $700 (3-room) |
Rents start at $400/month for a 2-room flat, and up to $1,500 for the sole 4-roomers available in Tiong Bahru. 3-room flats are the most common flat type available, with rents from $600 to $900 a month.
On the open market, $400/month could get you a bedspace in a shared room with other tenants, while $600 to $900 is the cost to rent an entire room for a month. If you’re looking at $1,500/month or higher, that could net you an entire 2-room HDB flat or a nice master bedroom with your own attached bathroom.
The subsidised rental rates you pay to HDB (IF your application is successful) really explain why the units available via the PPHS are in such high demand.
Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS) Eligibility
The first eligible criterion for the PPHS is that you need to have booked an uncompleted HDB flat (BTO or SBF).
Next, your family unit should comprise:
- A married couple
- A couple under the Fiancé/Fiancée Scheme (at least 1 must be a first-timer; marriage cert must be submitted within 3 months of taking possession of the PPHS flat)
- A divorced/widowed parent with child(ren)
Your family unit will also need to satisfy the following criteria:
- At least 1 Singapore Citizen in the household, the other part(ies) must be at least Singapore Permanent Resident(s)
- Anyone in the household must not own an existing HDB flat (if you do, you need to surrender ownership within 6 months of taking possession of the PPHS flat)
There are also other conditions:
- You and the other PPHS flat applicants must be listed in the sales application (only 1 PPHS application within the same month, if you’re trying multiple times)
- For those sharing a 3-room or 4-room PPHS flat with another eligible household, the maximum number of occupants cannot exceed 6
Actually, it’s quite easy to qualify for the PPHS — the most difficult part is being lucky enough to score an interim rental HDB flat. As we mentioned above, with 2,350 applicants vying for 160 PPHS flats, that’s like a 6.81% chance or 14 to 15 people “aiming” each unit.
Well… at least that’s still a better chance than the record 43.3 BTO applicants per Telok Blangah Beacon 4-room BTO unit, which just launched in the May 2021 HDB BTO sales exercise!
Related articles:
- HDB Flat Rental Trends: How Important Is Location vs Age of The Flat?
- HDB Rental Prices in Singapore: How Much You Need to Earn to Afford Different Flat Types
Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS) Application
To apply for a PPHS flat, you either submit your application via the My HDBPage (first timer) or in person (one of the applicants is a second-timer, you’re a divorced/widowed parent with a child/children, you want to share a PPHS flat).
If you’re successful in your application, you’ll be invited for flat selection in the following month. This is, just like BTO and SBF flats, determined by a computer ballot. You can check out the PPHS flats available for application and you will be able to select the units during the selection exercise.
When signing the tenancy agreement, you’ll need to pay the first month’s rental, 1-month rental deposit and stamp fees. Also, like BTO and SBF flats, all applicants must be present during the selection and signing.
Sharing a Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS) flat
Those sharing a PPHS flat with an existing PPHS flat tenant will need to visit the HDB branch managing their flat, along with the existing flat tenants. The total number of people sharing the flat should not exceed six. You can also submit a joint application with another family unit looking to rent a PPHS flat.
How Do I Know If My PPHS Application Was Successful / Unsuccessful?
You can check the HDB website for your application status. The results should be announced in the following month after application.
How To Terminate My HDB PPHS Flat Application?
According to the HDB website, once you have submitted an application for a flat under the Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS), no changes are allowed. Those who wish to cancel their PPHS application before selecting a flat, can contact HDB via their e-feedback form or call them at 1800-225-5432.
Do You Need To Be A Parent To Apply For PPHS?
No need. Married couples (without children) can apply, as well as couples under the Fiancé/Fiancée Scheme (need to submit marriage cert within 3 months of taking possession of the PPHS flat; but at least one of the applicants must be a first-timer applicant).
Is The PPHS Like HDB’s Public Rental Scheme?
Not quite. The PPHS is for those waiting for the completion of their HDB flat, while the public rental scheme is for lower-income families who don’t have any other housing options.
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This article was written by Mary Wu, who hopes to share what she’s learnt from her home-buying and renovation journey with PropertyGuru readers. When she’s not writing, she’s usually baking up a storm or checking out a new cafe in town.
