By NexDoor | Apr 2026
The Singapore government has set aside up to $230,000 in housing grants for eligible first-time HDB buyers. Not as a future promise. Not as a pilot scheme. Right now, available, fully funded — and routinely left unclaimed because buyers either don't know the full picture or don't know how to put the pieces together.
This post gives you the full picture.
Three Grants. One Stack. Up to $230,000.
There are three HDB grants available to first-time buyers purchasing a resale flat. Each works independently. Together, they can dramatically reduce the net cost of your first home.
Grant 1: The Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG) — Up to $120,000
The EHG is the largest of the three and the most income-sensitive. The lower your household income, the more you receive. At the maximum tier, eligible first-time families can receive $120,000. Singles receive up to $60,000.
The EHG applies to both BTO and resale flat purchases and is calculated on your average gross monthly household income over the 12 months before your application.
Grant 2: The CPF Housing Grant (Family Grant) — Up to $80,000
The Family Grant is a flat-rate grant specifically for resale flat purchases. It does not apply to BTO flats — a distinction many first-time buyers miss when comparing options.
For families, the income ceiling is $7,000 for 4-room and smaller, and $14,000 for 5-room and larger. Singles must be at least 35 and can receive half the family grant amount.
Grant 3: The Proximity Housing Grant (PHG) — Up to $30,000
The PHG rewards buyers who choose to live near or with their parents or married children. It has no income ceiling — making it one of the most accessible housing grants in Singapore.
No income ceiling. No complex eligibility hoops. If your parents or married children live within 4km of your new flat — or you live together — you may qualify.
What the Full Stack Looks Like in Practice
Take a couple with a combined monthly household income of $4,200, buying a 4-room resale flat in Ang Mo Kio at $550,000.
EHG: $110,000
Family Grant: $80,000
PHG: $20,000 to $30,000, depending on whether they live near or with parents
Total grants: up to $220,000.
That reduces the effective flat cost from $550,000 to around $330,000 before CPF and cash savings are applied. This is why understanding grants is not a side issue. It changes the entire affordability equation.
The Enhanced CPF Housing Grant Table
| Monthly Household Income | EHG Amount |
|---|---|
| $1,500 and below | $120,000 |
| $1,501 – $3,000 | $115,000 |
| $3,001 – $4,500 | $110,000 |
| $4,501 – $6,000 | $95,000 |
| $6,001 – $7,500 | $80,000 |
| $7,501 – $9,000 | $50,000 |
CPF Housing Grant for Resale Flats
| Flat Type | Families | Singles |
|---|---|---|
| 2-room to 4-room | $80,000 | $40,000 |
| 5-room and above | $50,000 | $25,000 |
Proximity Housing Grant
| Arrangement | Families | Singles |
|---|---|---|
| Living with parents / married child | $30,000 | $15,000 |
| Living within 4km | $20,000 | $10,000 |
Five Things That Can Cost You Your Grants
Knowing the grants exist is only half the equation. Here is what disqualifies buyers who should have been eligible:
1. Not applying during the purchase process. Grants cannot be claimed retroactively after completion. The window is during the transaction — not before, not after.
2. Exceeding the income ceiling by any amount. $9,001 in average monthly household income means zero EHG. No partial credit, no exceptions.
3. Guessing on the 4km proximity. 4.1km disqualifies you from the PHG entirely. Use HDB Map Services to verify before assuming.
4. Buying a flat with fewer than 20 years of lease remaining. This eliminates Family Grant eligibility — an $80,000 loss that cannot be recovered.
5. Assuming BTO and resale grants are identical. The Family Grant is for resale flats only. BTO buyers do not receive it, regardless of income or profile.
Your First Step: The HFE Letter
Before viewing any flat, before running any affordability calculation, apply for your HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) letter via the HDB Flat Portal.
The HFE letter tells you exactly which grants you qualify for and at what quantum — based on your actual income, not an estimate. It removes all guesswork and gives you a clear budget before you commit emotionally to a unit.
The grants are there. The eligibility criteria are clear. The only thing standing between most first-time buyers and $230,000 in housing support is knowing exactly how to claim it.
If you want help interpreting your HFE letter or working out how your grant position affects your overall affordability, NexDoor is happy to walk through the numbers with you.
📩 Reach out to NexDoor — let's make sure you're not leaving money on the table.
Source: HDB.gov.sg (2025/2026 figures)