If you’ve been searching for HDB flats for rent, you’ve probably come across the term “PPHS HDB” on Google. But what does “PPHS HDB” mean? For the uninitiated, “PPHS HDB” stands for the Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS).
Sure that’s fine and dandy, but have you heard about the PPHS before? 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.
Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve seen many young couples affected by the BTO construction delays being pushed into the HDB rental market as they wait for their homes to be completed. Consequently, demand for interim rental flats under the PPHS HDB programme doubled in 2020.
Speaking of interim rental HDB flats, there were just 160 available in 2020 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. However, in August 2021, the Government announced that it is setting aside an additional 800 flats under the PPHS for those waiting for the completion of their BTO flat.
Let’s delve deeper into the PPHS, how to apply for interim housing, and where these PPHS HDB flats are located:
Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS): What Is PPHS HDB?
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 flats or Sale of Balance Flats) can get interim rental housing through HDB. This means they can pay subsidised rents for a PPHS 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 Rental Flat Price in Singapore: How Much You Need to Earn to Afford Different Flat Types (2022)
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 duty fees and a 1-month rent deposit when the tenancy agreement is signed.
Here are the latest PPHS HDB rental rates, as seen on HDB’s website, depending on flat type and address:
|
PPHS Rental Flat Location |
Rental Rate and Flat Type |
|
Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1, 3, 4, 5, 8 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 Road, Clementi West Street 2 |
$900 (3-room), $1,146 or $1,296 (Polytechnic Apartment) |
|
Circuit Road, Eunos Crescent, Old Airport Road, Sims Place, Aljunied Avenue 2 and Cassia Crescent |
$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, Holland Close, and Stirling Road |
$700 or $800 (3-room) |
|
Toa Payoh and Upper Aljunied Lane |
$700 or $800 (3-room) |
|
Boon Lay Drive, Ho Ching Road and Yuan Ching Road |
$600 or $700 (3-room) |
|
Sumang Lane |
$500 (2-room) |
|
Canberra Street and Sembawang Drive |
$400 (2-room) |
|
Marsiling Cres, Marsiling Drive, Marsiling Lane, Marsiling Road, Woodlands St 31 and Woodlands Rise |
$400 (2-room) or $600 (3-room) |
|
Yishun Ring Road, Yishun Street 22, Yishun Street 51, and Yishun Avenue 5 |
$500 (2-room), $600 or $700 (3-room) |
Rents start at $400 per month for a 2-room flat and up to $1,500 per month for the 4-room flats available in Tiong Bahru. 3-room flats are the most common PPHS HDB rental flat type available, with rents from $600 to $900 a month.
Comparatively, on the open market, $400 per month could get you a bed space in a shared room with other tenants in areas such as Bukit Panjang and Jurong West. $600 to $900 per month is the cost to rent an entire HDB room for a month.
If you’re looking at a budget of $1,500 per month or higher, that could net you an entire 2-room HDB flat or a nice master bedroom with your own attached bathroom in neighbourhoods that are not as close to the city.
For those looking at the city-fringe neighbourhoods of Boon Keng, Kallang/Whampoa, Geylang and Bishan, $1,500 per month would only get you a common room in today’s market.
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 HDB Rental Eligibility
The first eligible criterion for those keen to apply for a PPHS HDB rental flat 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 HDB 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 HDB flat)
- Your monthly household income must not exceed $7,000
There are also other conditions:
- You and the other PPHS HDB 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 HDB flat with another eligible household, the maximum number of occupants cannot exceed 6
On top of the eligibility requirements above, priority will also be given to couples with children 18 years old and below, including expecting parents.
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. For the February to March 2022 exercise, there were 565 applicants vying for 60 PPHS HDB flats. That’s an application rate of 9.41.
Well… at least that’s still a better chance than the application rate of 28.8 for the 4-room BTO units at Dakota Crest, which launched in the February 2022 HDB BTO sales exercise!
Related article: HDB Flat Rental Trends: How Important Is Location vs Age of The Flat?
Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS) Application
The living room of a PPHS HDB retrofitted flat. Source: HDB
To apply for a PPHS HDB rental 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 HDB 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 HDB 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 duty. 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 HDB flat with an existing PPHS HDB 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 HDB flat.
How Do I Know If My PPHS HDB Application Was Successful / Unsuccessful?
You can check the HDB website for your PPHS HDBapplication status. The results should be announced in the following month after application.
How To Terminate My PPHS DBS 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 HDB?
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 HDB flat; but at least one of the applicants must be a first-time 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.
