CPF Housing Grant Eligibility in Singapore: How Much BTO, Resale Flat and EC Buyers Can Get

CPF housing grant eligibility is a factor most will consider when buying their HDB flat. That’s because for first-timers eyeing a BTO flat or resale flat, getting a CPF housing grant (or HDB grant) is probably the single most important aspect as it helps to make homes more ‘affordable’. 

To be clear, the grants are credited into your CPF Ordinary Account (OA) via CPF top-up and must be returned to your CPF account once you sell the flats. Some might even argue not to use your CPF to pay for housing. But hey, in a country where houses are expensive, the CPF housing grant helps to aid your purchase and make it easier to own a home. 

But with so many grants and eligibility conditions, it can get pretty confusing. Worry not, however, in this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about the grants and how you can qualify for them.

CPF Housing Grants (HDB Grants): An Overview

The type of housing grant you’re eligible for will largely depend on the following things:

1. The type of HDB flat (Build-to-Order (BTO), Sale of Balance Flats (SBF), resale HDB flat, or executive condominium (EC))
2. Whether you’re a first-time or second-time applicant (or have received an HDB grant previously)
3. Whether you’re buying as a family/couple or single
4. Your income ceiling 

Note: Singapore Permanent Resident (PR) households are not eligible for grants. Only households with at least one Singapore Citizen (SC) can enjoy subsidised flats and grants from HDB. To qualify for the grants, all applicants must be at least 21 years old if you’re buying as a couple/family, and 35 years old for singles. Here’s what you need to know about PRs buying HDB flats in Singapore.

Assuming that you’re buying as a couple, are both Singaporeans, are first-time home buyers, below is the maximum grant amount that you’re both eligible for each flat type: 

In summary, the maximum grant type and the amount you can get for each type of flat are:

BTO/SBF flat: EHG ($5,000 to $80,000)

Resale HDB flat: EHG + Family Grant + PHG ($65,000 to $160,000)

EC: Family Grant ($10,000 to $30,000)

Types of HDB Grants

1. Enhanced CPF Grant (EHG)—for BTO and Resale Flats

The Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG) basically replaced both the former Additional CPF Grant (AHG) and Special CPF Housing Grant (SHG). With EHG, first-time applicants buying as a family/couple can get up to $80,000 in grants, while singles can enjoy up to $40,000. The grant amount is also applicable to all flats types, sizes and estates, as long as you fulfil the following criteria:

Income: The household income for the past one year must be $9,000 or below. At least one applicant must be working for a year.

Previous housing subsidies: All applicants or essential occupiers must be first-timers.

Employment: At least one applicant must be working for at least a year.

Remaining flat lease: At least 20 years left. The remaining lease must be also enough to cover the youngest buyer until 95 years old, or the grant will be pro-rated.

Ownership: You and the other flat applicants must not own any property both locally and overseas, or must dispose of them 30 months before your new flat application. 

If you’re buying as a single, then the amount you can get from the EHG is halved from $2,500 to $40,000. Your income must not exceed $4,500 and you must be employed for the past year. Like families and couples buying with the EHG, the remaining lease must have at least 20 years left and must cover you until you’re 95 years old. You also cannot own any property in Singapore or abroad or must dispose of any property within 30 months before applying for the flat.  

If you’re buying under the Non-Citizen Spouse Scheme, you’ll be eligible for the EHG if half of your household income for the past one year does not exceed $4,500. You and your spouse must also be working for the past year before applying for the flat. As with other schemes, the remaining lease of the flat must be 20 years or more, and must be enough to cover the youngest buyer until 95 years old. Both buyers must also not own any property locally and overseas, or have disposed them within 30 months before applying for the flat.   

2. Proximity Housing Grant (PHG)—for Resale Flats

If you are buying a resale flat within 4km of your parents/children, or intend to stay in the same flat as them, you will be eligible for the Proximity Housing Grant (PHG). This grant has no income cap and is not restricted to first-time homebuyers. 

Also, note that your parents/children do not need to live in an HDB flat, so you’re still eligible for PHG even if they live in a private property.

For families, the PHG will grant you $20,000 for living within 4km of your parents/children, and $30,000 if you’re staying with them. Singles meanwhile, can enjoy $10,000 if they choose to live within 4km where their parents live, and $15,000 if they live with their parents. 

And yes, it stacks with other grants too. Since its introduction, the PHG has benefitted over 20,100 Singaporean families. Apart from living within 4km of your parents, here are other eligibility conditions that you need to know:

Income: No income ceiling.

Previous housing subsidies: Don’t need to be a first-timer. However, you have not received the PHG previously. 

Remaining flat lease: At least 20 years left. 

Flat type: The resale flat must be at least 2-room or larger. 

Read our Proximity Housing Grant guide for more information. 

3. Family Grant

For Resale HDB Flats

The Family Grant is for first-time families/married/engaged couples who want to buy a resale HDB flat together. For Singapore Citizen (SC) households, the grant amount is $50,000 for 2- to 4-room resale flats and $40,000 for 5-room or bigger resale flats.

For SC-SPR households, the grant amount is $40,000 for 2- to 4-room resale flats and $30,000 for 5-room or bigger resale flats. Below are the eligibility conditions: 

Income: $14,000 for couples, $21,000 if buying as an extended family.

Household status: You and the family member(s) buying the resale flat must be first-timer applicants, and must not have owned/bought any HDB property, including EC, Design, Build and Sell Scheme (DBSS) flat from a developer. You have also not received any CPF Housing Grant to buy a resale flat and not received any form of housing subsidy (e.g. benefitted under the Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme (SERS), HUDC estate privatisation).

Flat type: 2-room or bigger.

Employment: At least one applicant must be working for at least a year.

Remaining flat lease: At least 20 years left.

Ownership: You and the other flat applicants must not own any property both locally and overseas, or must dispose of them 30 months before your new flat application. All applicants also cannot invest in private residential property from the date of flat application till after the 5-year MOP. You must not also be buying an HDB resale flat that has been announced for SERS. 

For singles, you can apply for the Singles Grant. The grant amount will be $25,000 for 2- to 4-room resale flats and $20,000 for 5-room resale flats. You must be a first-time applicant and your gross monthly income must not exceed $7,000, and $14,000 if you’re buying under other schemes. 

If your household is made up of a Singaporean-foreigner, then you can apply under the Non-Citizen Spouse Scheme. Under this scheme, you can get $25,000 for 2- to 4-room resale flats and $20,000 for 5-room resale flats. Your gross monthly household income must not exceed $14,000 and all applicants must be first-time applicants.

For Executive Condominiums

First-time EC buyers will also be able to enjoy the Family Grant when they buy any type of EC from HDB. The grant amount depends on your income and your household type. 

Income: $12,000.

Grant amount: $10,000 to $30,000 for SC households, $10,000 to $20,000 for SC-SPR households.

Flat type: Any EC.

Household status: First-timer applicant if you have not received any housing subsidy from HDB or bought any HDB flat previously. 

There’s also a Half-Housing Grant, this grant if your household consists of a first-timer SC and another second-timer who has previously taken a CPG Housing Grant. 

Here’s a table on the differences between the grants, according to HDB:

For SC-SPR households, you can enjoy an additional $10,000 when the SPR converts into an SC via the Citizen Top-Up. You need to submit your application to HDB within 6 months of being eligible for it.

Looking for Resale HDB Flats/EC Units for Sale?

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More FAQS about CPF Housing Grant Eligibility in Singapore

Which Grants Am I Eligible For?

Depending on the type of housing, citizenship status, whether you’re a first-time or second-time applicant, buying as a family/couple or single, and income ceiling will affect what type of grant you can get.

What Can CPF Housing Grant Be Used For?

You can offset the purchase price of your flat to reduce the mortgage loan you have to take.

How Much Resale Grant Can I Get?

Including the Family Grant and EHG, you can get up to $160,000. 

Do I Need to Pay Back HDB Grants?

Yes, when you are getting another home and have sold your existing house, you need to pay the money back with accrued interest.

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Disclaimer: Information provided on this website is general in nature and does not constitute financial advice.