Public housing has been made affordable for Singaporeans over the past generations, thanks to the Central Provident Fund (CPF) housing grants.
If you are buying an HDB flat as a first-timer household, there is one centralized grant which is the Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG).
It was introduced in September 2019 by The Ministry of National Development (MND) and the Housing & Development Board (HDB). This grant (EHG) replaced the Additional Housing Grant (AHG) and Special CPF Housing Grant (SHG) that were previously in place.
Under EHG, eligible first-time flat buyers would enjoy a housing grant of up to $80,000. The EHG will be made available to all eligible buyers and applies to new or resale flats. There are also no restrictions placed on the flat type and location, unlike the SHG which was restricted to purchases of 4-room or smaller new flats in non-mature estates.
EHG: Everything You Need to Know:
Do I qualify for EHG?
The monthly household income for first-time family buyers should not exceed $9,000. Both spouses must also have been in continuous employment for 12 months before the flat application, and must still be working at the point of the flat application. The same applies to single buyers, with a monthly income of up to $4,500.
Eligibility conditions for AHG, SHG and EHG
| EHG | |
| Income Ceiling | $9,000 |
| Flat’s Remaining Lease | 20 years or more |
| Grant Amount | Up to $80,000 |
| Eligible Flats | New or resale. No restrictions on flat type and location |
| Previous housing subsidy | You and other co-applicants and essential occupiers are ALL first-timers |
How much EHG do you qualify for
Eligible single first-timers can enjoy an EHG of up to $40,000. In comparison, families and joint singles scheme buyers such as two unmarried individuals buying together are eligible for up to $80,000 when purchasing both BTO and resale flats. You may refer to the table below for the estimated EHG eligibility amount based on your average monthly income.
| Average Monthly Household Income for First-Timer Families and Joint Singles Scheme* | Grant Amount for First-Timer Families and Joint Singles Scheme* | Average Monthly Income under the Singles Scheme* | Grant Amount for Singles Scheme* |
| Not more than $1,500 | $80,000 | Not more than $750 | $40,000 |
| $1,501 – $2,000 | $75,000 | $751 – $1,000 | $37,500 |
| $2,001 – $2,500 | $70,000 | $1,001 – $1,250 | $35,000 |
| $2,501 – $3,000 | $65,000 | $1,251 – $1,500 | $32,500 |
| $3,001 – $3,500 | $60,000 | $1,501 – $1,750 | $30,000 |
| $3,501 – $4,000 | $55,000 | $1,751 – $2,000 | $27,500 |
| $4,001 – $4,500 | $50,000 | $2,001 – $2,250 | $25,000 |
| $4,501 – $5,000 | $45,000 | $2,251 – $2,500 | $22,500 |
| $5,001 – $5,500 | $40,000 | $2,501 – $2,750 | $20,000 |
| $5,501 – $6,000 | $35,000 | $2,751 – $3,000 | $17,500 |
| $6,001 – $6,500 | $30,000 | $3,001 – $3,250 | $15,000 |
| $6,501 – $7,000 | $25,000 | $3,251 – $3,500 | $12,500 |
| $7,001 – $7,500 | $20,000 | $3,501 – $3,750 | $10,000 |
| $7,501 – $8,000 | $15,000 | $3,751 – $4,000 | $7,500 |
| $8,001 – $8,500 | $10,000 | $4,001 – $4,250 | $5,000 |
| $8,501 – $9,000 | $5,000 | $4,251 – $4,500 | $2,500 |
| More than $9,000 | NA | More than $4,500 | NA |
In addition to the EHG, eligible resale flat buyers may also qualify for other grants, such as the CPF Housing Grant (up to $50,000) and Proximity Housing Grant (up to $30,000). This means that first-time resale homebuyers can now enjoy up to $160,000 when combined with the EHG.
The 4 key enhancements in the housing grant for first-timers:
- Earning within the median monthly household income in Singapore is no longer a disadvantage since EHG’s income ceiling has been raised to $9,000. According to statistics, the median monthly household income in 2018 was $9,293.
- You can now purchase a flat with a remaining lease of 20 years or more. This will help to make older flats in mature estates more affordable giving them a new lease of life.
- The additional grants will allow families to afford a bigger home (4-room or bigger) making it spacious enough to live together and elevating living standards.
- Access to EHG for flats with a remaining lease of 20 years or more allows families to afford homes in mature estates which usually come with more developed dining, transportation, entertainment and other amenities.
What it means for you as a buyer
What remains unchanged is that the higher your income, the lower your grant amount. For example, if you earn between $8,501 to $9,000, your grant amount is $5,000.
However, the additional $40,000 in grants will help eligible families, especially those with lower household incomes, afford a roof over their heads.
Also, eligible first-time buyers of resale flats can enjoy up to $160,000 in housing grants, which include the EHG (up to $80,000), CPF Housing Grant (up to $50,000) and PHG (up to $30,000).
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- Buying Your HDB 101: Financing Options & the Use of CPF
- The Ultimate Guide to HDB Fiancé/Fiancée Eligibility Scheme
- Why Location is Not the Biggest Factor in Buying Your HDB Flat
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who can be considered a first-timer applicant?
You will be considered a first-timer applicant if you have not received any housing subsidy from HDB.
2. How do I apply for the EHG?
If eligible, please complete and sign the EHG application form given in your invitation letter and submit it to HDB during your flat booking appointment.
3. How is the grant released to me?
The CPF housing grant will be fully credited into the CPF Ordinary Accounts of eligible Singapore Citizen (SC) applicants and no cash disbursement is involved.
4. What is the usage of CPF housing grants?
CPF housing grants can be used to offset the purchase price of the flat.
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