Understanding HDB Eligibility Schemes and Grants: Your Complete Buying Process Guide
Navigating HDB eligibility and housing grants can feel overwhelming, but understanding these schemes is essential for making informed decisions about your property purchase. Whether you're a first-time buyer, upgrading your home, or planning an investment, knowing which HDB scheme applies to you and what grants you qualify for can save you tens of thousands of dollars and months of frustration.
This guide breaks down Singapore's HDB eligibility schemes, housing grants, and the complete buying process in straightforward terms. At Homejourney, we prioritize your safety and success by ensuring you have accurate, verified information to make confident property decisions.
The Five Main HDB Eligibility Schemes Explained
HDB eligibility schemes determine who can buy which types of flats and under what conditions. Each scheme has specific requirements and benefits tailored to different household compositions.
1. Public Scheme: For Families and Households
The Public Scheme is the most common pathway for HDB purchases. It's designed for families or households forming a valid family nucleus, which includes spouses and children, parents and siblings, or children in legal custody.
Key Requirements:
- At least one applicant must be a Singapore Citizen; at least one other must be a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident
- Average gross monthly household income ceiling of $14,000 (or $21,000 for extended/multi-generation households)
- Applicants must not own private residential property or have sold any in the last 30 months
- Minimum age of 21 years old
This scheme offers the widest range of flat types and locations, making it the most flexible option for most Singaporean families.
2. Single Singapore Citizen Scheme: For Unmarried Buyers
If you're an unmarried Singapore Citizen aged 35 and above (or 21 and above if orphaned), this scheme allows you to purchase a flat independently.
Key Requirements:
- Must be at least 35 years old (or 21 if qualifying as an orphan)
- Monthly income ceiling of $7,000
- Can only purchase two-room Flexi flats
- Must be a Singapore Citizen
While single buyers pay a premium compared to families, they may access special grants to offset costs. This scheme represents an important pathway for independent Singaporeans.
3. Joint Singles Scheme: For Groups of Singles
Two to four single Singapore Citizens can apply jointly to form a household and purchase a flat together. This scheme is ideal for friends or colleagues wanting to co-own property.
Key Requirements:
- All co-applicants must be Singapore Citizens
- Average household income must not exceed $7,000 monthly
- Group size between 2-4 people
- Applicable for flats suitable for multiple single occupants
4. Non-Citizen Spouse Scheme: For Mixed-Citizenship Couples
Singapore Citizens married to non-citizens can apply under this scheme if the non-citizen spouse holds a valid Long-Term Visit Pass or Work Pass.
Key Requirements:
- One spouse must be a Singapore Citizen
- Non-citizen spouse must have valid Long-Term Visit Pass or Work Pass
- Eligible for two-room Flexi flats only
- Must be first-time applicants under this scheme
5. Fiancé/Fiancée and Orphans Schemes
The Fiancé/Fiancée Scheme allows engaged couples planning to marry to apply together, while the Orphans Scheme supports sibling groups where at least one deceased parent was a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident. Orphans can apply from age 21 and must all be single.
Critical Income Ceilings: Understanding the Limits
Income ceilings are one of the most important eligibility criteria. Exceeding the ceiling for your chosen flat type will result in automatic disqualification, regardless of other factors.
Current Income Ceilings (2026):
- $14,000 average gross monthly household income for families applying for three-room flats and larger
- $21,000 for extended or multi-generation families applying collectively
- $7,000 for singles and joint singles schemes
- Some three-room flats may have lower ceilings depending on the project
These ceilings were last revised in 2019. Government officials have indicated possible upcoming adjustments in 2026 to reflect rising incomes while maintaining housing affordability. At Homejourney, we monitor these changes closely to keep you informed of updates affecting your eligibility.
HDB Housing Grants: Maximizing Your Financial Support
Housing grants can reduce your out-of-pocket costs significantly. Understanding which grants you qualify for is crucial for financial planning.
CPF Housing Grant (Standard)
Available to first-time buyers, the CPF Housing Grant provides direct financial assistance:
- Families: Up to $80,000
- Singles: Up to $40,000
- Income ceiling: $14,000 for families, $7,000 for singles
Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG)
The EHG provides higher assistance for first-time buyers with lower incomes purchasing resale flats with at least 20 years of lease remaining:
- Families: Up to $80,000
- Singles: Up to $40,000
- Income ceiling: $9,000 for families, $4,500 for singles
The EHG is particularly valuable for lower-income households, though the stricter income ceiling means fewer applicants qualify compared to the standard CPF Housing Grant.
Proximity Housing Grant (PHG)
The PHG encourages multi-generational living or purchasing near family. It applies only to resale flats:
- Living with parents/children: Up to $30,000 (families) or $15,000 (singles)
- Living nearby (within 4 km): Up to $20,000 (families) or $10,000 (singles)
This grant recognizes the importance of family proximity in Singapore's housing context and can significantly reduce your purchase costs if you meet the location criteria.
The HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) Letter: Your Essential First Step
Before purchasing any HDB flat—whether BTO or resale—you must obtain an HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) letter. This single document replaced the previous HLE letter in May 2023 and consolidates all eligibility assessments.
What the HFE Letter Confirms
Your HFE letter verifies:
- Your eligibility to purchase a BTO or resale HDB flat
- CPF housing grants you qualify for and the grant amounts
- HDB housing loan eligibility and maximum loan amount
- Bank loan options available to you
The HFE letter is valid for 9 months from the date of issue. You must have this letter before securing an Option to Purchase (OTP) for a resale flat.
How to Apply for Your HFE Letter
Step 1: Complete the Preliminary HFE Check
- Log in to the HDB flat portal via Singpass
- Provide your particulars, including all flat applicants and occupiers
- Declare any interest in local and/or overseas private property
- Indicate whether you intend to take up a housing loan
Step 2: Apply for the HFE Letter (within 30 calendar days)
- Select your housing loan option(s) from HDB's packages or participating banks (DBS, Hong Leong Finance, Maybank, OCBC, UOB, and others)
- Your personal information will be retrieved from MyInfo via Singpass with your permission, streamlining the process
- Submit your application and await HDB's assessment
This streamlined process eliminates the need for submitting numerous documents separately. The consolidated approach saves time and reduces administrative burden for buyers.
BTO vs. Resale: Different Eligibility Considerations
While both BTO and resale flats use the same eligibility schemes, there are important differences in how eligibility applies.
BTO Flat Eligibility Requirements
For Build-to-Order flats, you must:
- Submit your application during official BTO launch periods
- Have a valid HFE letter before submitting your BTO application
- Not have taken two or more HDB housing loans previously
- Not have purchased multiple new HDB/DBSS flats or ECs unless permitted under specific conditions
- Not have received multiple CPF Housing Grants unless permitted
BTO applications are only accepted during designated launch windows. Missing these windows means waiting for the next launch, which can be several months away. At Homejourney, we help you stay informed about upcoming BTO launches and application deadlines.
Resale Flat Eligibility Considerations
Resale flats have different income ceiling rules based on flat type:
- Standard Flats: No income ceiling for purchase (though income affects grant eligibility)
- Plus Flats: Income ceiling of $14,000 ($21,000 for extended families)
- Prime Flats: Income ceiling of $14,000 ($21,000 for extended families)
Plus and Prime flats also have Minimum Occupation Periods (MOP) of 10 years and subsidy recovery requirements when reselling. Understanding these restrictions is crucial when evaluating resale options.
Critical Eligibility Rules You Must Know
Several absolute eligibility requirements apply regardless of which scheme you choose:
Private Property Ownership Restrictions
You and all occupiers must not:
- Own any private residential property locally or overseas
- Have sold any private property in the last 30 months
If you currently own private property, you must dispose of it within six months of taking possession of your BTO flat. This is a strict requirement with no exceptions. Many first-time buyers overlook this when purchasing investment properties, creating complications later.
Citizenship Requirements
At least one applicant must be a Singapore Citizen. The other applicant (if applicable) must be either a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident. Non-citizens cannot be primary applicants for HDB purchases.
Age Requirements
Applicants must be at least 21 years old, except for singles applying alone who must be at least 35 years old. Orphans can apply from age 21.
Your Complete HDB Buying Process: Step-by-Step
Understanding the overall buying process helps you prepare financially and mentally for the journey ahead.
Step 1: Determine Your Eligibility Scheme
Identify which scheme applies to your household composition. Use this framework:
- Are you a family with at least one citizen? → Public Scheme
- Are you a single citizen aged 35+? → Single Singapore Citizen Scheme
- Are you 2-4 single citizens applying together? → Joint Singles Scheme
- Is your spouse a non-citizen with a valid pass? → Non-Citizen Spouse Scheme
- Are you orphaned siblings? → Orphans Scheme
Step 2: Verify Income Eligibility
Calculate your average gross monthly household income and confirm it doesn't exceed the ceiling for your scheme and desired flat type. Remember that this is calculated across all applicants and occupiers.
Step 3: Apply for Your HFE Letter
Complete the preliminary check and formal HFE application via the HDB flat portal. This typically takes 1-2 weeks. Your HFE letter will specify your grant eligibility and loan options.
Step 4: Explore Financing Options
Using your HFE letter, compare HDB loans and bank loans. At Homejourney, our bank rates page helps you understand current financing options and compare offerings from major lenders.
Step 5: Search for Your Property
For BTO, wait for the next launch window and submit during the application period. For resale, use Homejourney's property search to find available flats matching your criteria and budget.
Step 6: Secure an Option to Purchase (OTP)
For resale purchases, negotiate with the seller and secure an OTP. You must have your HFE letter before this step.
Step 7: Complete the Purchase
Finalize financing, conduct inspections, and complete the legal documentation. The entire process typically takes 8-12 weeks for resale purchases.
Common Eligibility Mistakes to Avoid
Understanding what disqualifies you helps prevent costly errors:
- Exceeding income ceilings: Even by $1, you're disqualified. Calculate carefully including all household members.
- Owning private property: Many buyers forget they must dispose of existing private property within six months of taking BTO possession.
