HDB Housing: Single Singapore Citizen Scheme
Most homeowners in Singapore live in HDB flats. However, not all of these flats are available to single individuals. In this article, we outline the available housing and grant options available to individuals living in Singapore.
Can Singles Purchase HDB Flats?
If you are at least 35 years old, unmarried and a Singapore Citizen you are eligible to purchase an HDB flat. The Singles Singapore Citizen & Joint Singles Scheme allows single individuals to new (BTO) or resale HDB flats. Please keep in mind that singles are only allowed to acquire 2-room Flexi units at non-mature estates. Singles are not restricted in terms of flat type, size or location when purchasing HDB resale flats.
Single Applicants: HDB Resale vs. BTO
| BTO | Resale | |
|---|---|---|
| Max. Income | S$7,000 (up to 99-year lease) / S$14,000 (up to 45-year lease) | N/A |
| Grants Available | EHG | Singles Grant & EHG |
It is important to note that there are monthly income limits for singles seeking to purchase BTO units (max. S$7,000 for 99 year lease, S$14,000 for 45 year lease). Additionally, if you seek to purchase a BTO unit you are not allowed to own or have disposed of private residential properties or land, you must sell any HDB home or private property within 6 months of your resale flat purchase. Similarly, if you are a single looking to purchase a resale flat, you must follow this same procedure.
- Bukit Batok
- Bukit Panjang
- Choa Chu Kang
- Hougang
- Jurong East / West
- Punggol
- Sembawang
- Sengkang
- Woodlands
- Yishun
- Ang Mo Kio
- Bedok
- Bishan
- Bukit Merah
- Bukit Timah
- Central
- Clementi
- Geylang
- Kallang / Whampoa
- Pasir Ris
- Queenstown
- Serangoon
- Tampines
- Toa Payoh
Housing Grants for Singles in Singapore
If you fit the above criteria, you may be eligible for two housing grants: the Singles Grant and the Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG). These CPF housing grants are directly deposited into your CPF Ordinary Account. These funds can be used to offset your new flat's purchase price, which in turn decreases your monthly mortgage payments. With that said, these funds can not be used for your monthly payments directly.
Housing & Development Board Singles Grant
The Singles Grant is designed to provide financial assistance for individuals of at least 35 years of age who seek to purchase an HDB resale flat. The grant is worth S$20,000 or S$25,000 depending on the type of flat.
| HDB Flat Type | Singles Grant Amount |
|---|---|
| 2-Room Resale Flat | S$25,000 |
| 3-Room Resale Flat | S$25,000 |
| 4-Room Resale Flat | S$25,000 |
| 5-Room Resale Flat | S$20,000 |
Eligibility: Do I Qualify for the Singles Grant?
To be eligible for the Singles Grant, you must be at least 35 years of age and a citizen of Singapore. Additionally, your average gross monthly income must not exceed S$7,000 or S$14,000 depending on your preferred housing scheme. You must be a "first-timer applicant". This means that you:
- Are not the owner of an HDB flat, Executive Condominium, or Design, Build and Sell Scheme (DBSS) flat
- Have not sold an HDB or EC/DBSS flat
- Have not received any CPF Housing Grant for the purchase of an HDB resale flat
- Have not received any form of housing subsidy
For more Singles Grant eligibility details, please refer to the table below.
| Singles Grant Eligibility | |
|---|---|
| Age | At least 35 years old |
| Household Status | First-time HDB applicant |
| Flat Type | Resale Flat |
| Flat Size | 2 to 5-Room (Single Singapore Citizen Scheme) / 2-Room or bigger (other schemes) |
| Remaining Lease | More than 20 years |
| Income Ceiling | S$7,000 (Single Singapore Citizen Scheme) / S$14,000 (other schemes) |
Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG) for Singles
The Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG) for singles provides low and medium income individuals financial assistance for the purchase of an HDB flat. The grant is worth S$2,500 to S$40,000, depending on the individual's income.
| Average Monthly Household Income | EHG (Singles) Amount |
|---|---|
| Not more than $750 | $40,000 |
| $751 to $1,000 | $37,500 |
| $1,001 to $1,250 | $35,000 |
| $1,251 to $1,500 | $32,500 |
| $1,501 to $1,750 | $30,000 |
| $1,751 to $2,000 | $27,500 |
| $2,001 to $2,250 | $25,000 |
| $2,251 to $2,500 | $22,500 |
| $2,501 to $2,750 | $20,000 |
| $2,751 to $3,000 | $17,500 |
| $3,001 to $3,250 | $15,000 |
| $3,251 to $3,500 | $12,500 |
| $3,501 to $3,750 | $10,000 |
| $3,751 to $4,000 | $7,500 |
| $4,001 to $4,250 | $5,000 |
| $4,251 to $4,500 | $2,500 |
Eligibility Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG) (Singles)
In order to be eligible for the EHG, you must meet a number of required criteria. For example, the grant is only available to individuals who have worked continuously for 12 months prior to the application and are currently working at the time of the application. Additionally, applicants must have average gross monthly incomes of S$4,500 or less. Finally, the property must have a lease that sufficiently covers the buyer until she/he is at least 95 years old. If this requirement is not met, the individual will receive a prorated EHG.
| EHG Eligibility Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Income Ceiling | S$4,500 average gross monthly |
| Employment | 12 months prior to the flat application & employed at time of application |
| Remaining Lease | More than 20 years |
To prove one's employment record, individuals must provide a year's worth of payslips or a letter from their employer, as well as CPF statements. Self-employed individuals must provide a Notice of Assessment (NOA) or a Statement of Annual Accounts, as well as a valid Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) profile or a valid trade license. For more information, please refer to the Housing & Development Board website.
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Stephen Lee is a Senior Research Analyst at ValueChampion, specializing in insurance. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies from the University of Washington, and his prior work experience include risk management and underwriting for professional liability and specialty insurance at Victor Insurance. Additionally, Stephen is a former US Peace Corps Volunteer in Myanmar (serving between 2018-2020), where he continues to provide business development consulting services to HR companies in Asia Pacific.