HDB Grants Singapore: There's $230,000 in HDB Grants Set Aside For You. Here's How to Claim It.

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 in Singapore available to first-time buyers purchasing a resale flat. Each works independently. Together, they are transformative.

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. As of August 2024, HDB increased the maximum from $80,000 to $120,000 — a significant uplift that expanded affordability for lower and middle income households considerably.

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	$75,000
$7,501 – $9,000	$40,000
Above $9,000	Not eligible

The EHG applies to both BTO and resale flat purchases and is calculated on your average gross monthly household income over the preceding 12 months.

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 buyers miss, and one that significantly changes the affordability equation for resale buyers.

Flat Type	Families	Singles
2-room to 4-room	$80,000	$40,000
5-room and above	$50,000	$25,000

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 years old. The flat must have at least 20 years of lease remaining.

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 grants in the stack.

Living Arrangement	Families	Singles (35+)
Living WITH parents/children	$30,000	$15,000
Living NEAR (within 4km)	$20,000	$10,000

No income ceiling. No complex eligibility hoops. If your parents or married children live within 4km of your new flat — or will be living with you — this grant is likely yours to claim. Your family members do not even need to be in an HDB flat to qualify; private property residents count.

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. Sarah's parents live 2.8km away.

• EHG: Income in the $3,001–$4,500 tier → $110,000

• Family Grant: 4-room resale, income under $7,000 → $80,000

• PHG: Parents within 4km → $20,000

Total: $210,000 in grants.

That $550,000 flat has an effective net cost of $340,000 after grants. If Sarah's parents move in instead of living nearby, the PHG increases to $30,000 — bringing the total to $220,000 and the net cost down to $330,000.

This is not a theoretical scenario. It is the financial reality for a significant proportion of first-time resale buyers in Singapore — most of whom never see the full picture laid out this clearly.

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 precise, confirmed number to plan around. It is the single most useful document a first-time buyer can have before entering the market.

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)