Maximize HDB Grants & Financing: Homejourney Ultimate Guide
This is the definitive guide to HDB grant financing in Singapore, showing first-time buyers and upgraders how to maximize every dollar through CPF housing grant, EHG PHG grant, and smart grant loan combinations. Homejourney prioritizes your safety and trust with verified data from HDB and official sources, helping you make confident decisions without the hassle.
Whether you're eyeing a BTO flat in Tengah or a resale in Toa Payoh, understanding maximize HDB grants can save you tens of thousands. We'll break down eligibility, calculations, application steps, and insider tips to combine grants with optimal financing from DBS, OCBC, UOB, and more via Homejourney's bank rates page.
Table of Contents
- Executive Summary
- 1. HDB Grants Overview: Types and Eligibility
- 2. CPF Housing Grant (Family Grant)
- 3. Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG)
- 4. Proximity Housing Grant (PHG)
- 5. Other Key Grants: SUHG and Singles
- 6. Complete Eligibility Checklist
- 7. Strategies to Maximize HDB Grants
- 8. HDB Financing Options: Loans and CPF
- 9. Bank Loans vs HDB Loans: 2026 Comparison
- 10. Grant + Loan Combinations for Maximum Benefits
- 11. Step-by-Step Application Process
- 12. How Homejourney Simplifies Your Journey
- 13. Common Pitfalls and Pro Tips
- FAQ: HDB Grants and Financing
- Next Steps with Homejourney
Executive Summary
Singapore's HDB grants can cover up to $120,000+ for eligible buyers, reducing your resale flat costs significantly when combined with low-interest loans.[1][2] First-timers with incomes under $9,000 qualify for the highest EHG PHG grant tiers, while families living near parents unlock extra PHG benefits.
Homejourney's guide reveals how to stack CPF housing grant with bank financing from partners like DBS (current SORA rates ~3.0%) and OCBC, potentially lowering your monthly payments by 20-30%. Use our mortgage calculator to simulate scenarios instantly.
1. HDB Grants Overview: Types and Eligibility
HDB offers five main CPF Housing Grants for resale flats: Family Grant, EHG, PHG, SUHG, and Singles Grant. All require at least one Singapore Citizen (SC), no recent private property ownership (within 30 months), and flats with >20 years lease remaining.[1][2]
Key 2026 updates: EHG caps raised for lower incomes amid rising resale prices (median 4-room: $500K+).Straits Times Housing News Homejourney verifies eligibility via Singpass integration for accuracy.
Quick Grants Comparison Table
| Grant Type | Max Amount | Income Ceiling | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Family Grant | $80,000 | $14K/$21K | First-timer couples |
| EHG (Families) | $120,000 | $9,000 | Lower-income first-timers |
| PHG | $30,000 | No cap | Near parents |
| SUHG | $40,000-$25,000 | $7,000 | Step-up families |
| Singles EHG | $60,000 | $7,000/$14K | Singles >35yo |
Grants are credited to your CPF OA, reducing principal for loans.[1]
2. CPF Housing Grant (Family Grant)
Available to first-timer SC couples/families buying resale flats. Amounts: $80K (SC-SC 4-room or smaller), $50K (larger); $50K/$30K if one PR.[1][2]
Eligibility: Household income ≤$14K (couples) or $21K (multi-gen), age 21+, no private property ownership/sale in 30 months.[1] Example: A young couple in Yishun earning $10K/month gets $80K towards a $450K 4-room resale.
3. Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG)
EHG PHG grant top tier: Up to $120K for incomes ≤$1,500/month, pro-rated down to $5K at $9K.[2] Requires 12 months employment, lease to age 95 for full amount.[1]
EHG Amount Table (Families)
| Income | Grant Amount |
|---|---|
| ≤$1,500 | $120,000 |
| $1,501-$2,000 | $110,000 |
| $2,001-$2,500 | $105,000 |
| $8,501-$9,000 | $5,000 |
Singles version up to $60K for >35yo.[1] Insider tip: Apply early in BTO queue for lease alignment.
4. Proximity Housing Grant (PHG)
Extra $20K (SC-SC) or $15K (SC-PR) for buying within 4km of parents/siblings (not if parents buy child's flat).[1][2] No income cap, stackable with others.
Pro tip: Use Homejourney's property search to filter resale flats near parents' block, e.g., Ang Mo Kio near parents in Thomson.
5. Other Key Grants: SUHG and Singles
Step-Up CPF Housing Grant (SUHG): $40K/$25K for families with one prior subsidy, income ≤$7K.[2] Singles Grant: Up to $50K + EHG for >35yo SCs.[1]
Cannot combine SUHG with PHG if previously received it.[2]
6. Complete Eligibility Checklist
Before applying, verify:
- Singapore Citizen buyer
- No private property ownership/sale in 30 months[1]
- Flat lease >20 years (to 95yo for EHG)[2]
- Income docs (12 months payslips for EHG)[1]
- Singpass for HFE letter
Download full docs checklist: HDB Loan Documents Checklist 2026 | Homejourney Guide
7. Strategies to Maximize HDB Grants
1. Stack eligible grants (e.g., Family + EHG + PHG = $230K max).[1][2] 2. Time private property sale >30 months pre-application. 3. Choose flats near parents for PHG. 4. Lower reported income via part-time if near ceilings.
Original insight: Multi-gen families in mature estates like Bedok save $110K+ by combining PHG with EHG, per HDB data.
8. HDB Financing Options: Loans and CPF
HDB Concessionary Loan: 2.6% fixed (2026), 90% LTV for first-timers. Use CPF OA (incl. grants) for downpayment (5-25%).HDB Loan vs Bank Loan 2026 Comparison | Homejourney
Grants inject into CPF, slashing effective loan size. Example: $500K flat, $100K EHG = $400K financed.
9. Bank Loans vs HDB Loans: 2026 Comparison
Bank loans (SORA-based ~3.5%) offer flexibility but cap at 75-85% LTV under TDSR (60% debt ratio). HDB safer for lower credit.HDB Loan Interest Rate Trends Analysis 2026 | Homejourney
Compare via Homejourney bank rates: DBS 3M SORA +0.7%, OCBC fixed 3.2%.
Understanding SORA (Singapore Overnight Rate Average): Benchmark for 99% of floating loans, tracks market rates.
The chart below shows recent interest rate trends in Singapore:
As seen, 3M SORA hovered at 3.0-3.2% in late 2025, favoring locks now via Homejourney.
10. Grant + Loan Combinations for Maximum Benefits
Optimal: EHG/PHG into CPF + bank loan for rates. Scenario: $550K resale, $120K EHG + $30K PHG = $400K loan @3.5% = $1,800/month (30yr).
Use CPF for downpayment: How to Use CPF for HDB Down Payment: Homejourney 2026 Guide
11. Step-by-Step Application Process
- HFE Letter: Via HDB portal/Singpass, declare income/family.[1]
- OTP & Grant Indication: Submit to HDB within 3 months.
- Financing: Apply bank/HDB loan, grants credited at completion.
- Resale Approval: HDB vets (4-8 weeks).
- Completion: 8-12 weeks post-approval.
Timeline: 3-6 months total. Pitfall: Lease mismatch delays EHG.
12. How Homejourney Simplifies Your Journey
Skip bank queues: One Singpass application on Homejourney bank-rates sends to DBS, OCBC, UOB, HSBC, Standard Chartered, Maybank, CIMB, RHB, Public Bank, Hong Leong, Citibank.
Features: Eligibility calculator, real-time SORA, side-by-side offers, status tracking. Post-purchase: aircon services for maintenance.
13. Common Pitfalls and Pro Tips
- Pitfall: Private sale <30 months – ineligible.[1]
- Tip: Verify lease with HDB resale portal.
- Pitfall: TDSR breach – use Homejourney calculator first.
- Insider: Buy in non-mature estates for better grant stacking.
Disclaimer: This is general advice; consult HDB/banks for personalized assessment. Rates as of 2026.
FAQ: HDB Grants and Financing
Q: Who qualifies for max EHG?
$120K for first-timers ≤$1.5K income, >20yr lease.[2]
Q: Can I combine EHG and PHG?
Yes, up to $150K+ if near parents.[1]
Q: HDB loan or bank?
HDB for stability (2.6%), bank for lower rates via Homejourney.HDB Loan vs Bank Loan 2026 Comparison | Homejourney
Q: How to check resale financing?
Use Homejourney calculator + HFE.HDB Resale Flat Financing: Complete 2026 Homejourney Guide
Q: CPF for downpayment?
Yes, grants boost OA: How to Use CPF for HDB Down Payment: Homejourney Guide
Q: 2026 rate outlook?
SORA stable; lock via multi-bank app.
Next Steps with Homejourney
1. Calculate eligibility at mortgage calculator. 2. Search budgets via property search. 3. Apply loans one-click. Homejourney ensures safe, transparent HDB grant financing – your trusted partner.
