HDB offers various grants to significantly reduce the financial burden of purchasing a flat. Understanding these options can help you maximise your financial assistance.
Key Points on Understanding HDB Grants and Subsidies
- HDB offers three main grants: CPF Housing Grant (CHG), Additional CPF Housing Grant (AHG), and Special CPF Housing Grant (SHG).
- CHG uses CPF Ordinary Account savings and varies based on income, family type, and flat type.
- AHG provides extra aid for first-time buyers, primarily young couples or families.
- SHG targets specific buying decisions, like living near parents or buying a resale flat from parents.
- Eligibility and grant amounts depend on income ceilings, family type, and flat type.
- Grants can be combined for maximum financial assistance.
Table of Contents
Types of HDB Grants
There are three main types of HDB grants available:
| Grant | Grant Amount |
| CPF Housing Grant (CHG) |
|
| Additional CPF Housing Grant (AHG) | S$10,000 – S$80,000, depending on eligibility and chosen scheme. |
| Special CPF Housing Grant (SHG) | It varies depending on the specific SHG scheme you qualify for. |
1. CPF Housing Grant (CHG)
The CPF Housing Grant is the most common HDB grant. It uses your CPF Ordinary Account (OA) savings to help pay for your HDB flat.
Eligibility: Open to most Singaporean citizens and permanent residents who meet the basic eligibility requirements for buying an HDB flat.
How it Works: Upon application and approval, the CHG amount is deducted from your CPF OA savings and used towards your HDB flat purchase.
2. Additional CPF Housing Grant (AHG)
The Additional CPF Housing Grant provides extra financial aid on top of the CHG.
Eligibility: Primarily for young couples or families buying their first HDB flat, subject to specific income ceilings and family nucleus requirements.
How it Works: Similar to the CHG, the AHG amount is deducted from your CPF OA savings and used towards your HDB flat purchase upon application and approval.
3. Special CPF Housing Grant (SHG)
The Special CPF Housing Grant incentivises specific buying decisions, encouraging social bonding and community living.
Eligibility: Varies depending on the specific SHG scheme. Examples include schemes for couples buying near their parents’ residences (Proximity Housing Grant) or married couples buying a resale flat from parents (Enhanced CPF Housing Grant for Married Couples on Resale Flat).
How it Works: Similar to the CHG and AHG, the SHG amount is deducted from your CPF OA savings and used towards your HDB flat purchase upon application and approval.
Calculating Your Grant Amounts
Understanding how HDB calculates your grant amounts empowers you to make informed decisions about your flat purchase.
Here’s a detailed breakdown for each grant:
1. CPF Housing Grant (CHG) Calculation
Income Ceiling:
HDB establishes income ceiling tiers. The lower your combined household income falls within these tiers, the higher your CHG amount. The latest income ceiling tiers are on the HDB website.
A couple with a combined monthly income of S$4,500 falls under Tier 2 of the income ceiling. They would receive a higher CHG amount than a couple with a combined monthly income of S$8,000 (Tier 4).
Family Type:
HDB defines eligible family types. If your family nucleus includes children, you might qualify for a higher CHG amount compared to singles or couples without children.
A married couple with two young children would more likely be qualified for a larger CHG than a single applicant buying a similar flat type.
Flat Type:
The size and category of your chosen flat (e.g., 2-room Flexi, 3-room, Executive Condominium) affect the CHG amount. Generally, grants for larger or higher-tier flats tend to be lower.
The CHG amount for a 3-room Build-To-Order (BTO) flat would likely be higher compared to an Executive Condominium (EC) unit, even though the EC might have a larger floor area.
Estimating Your CHG:
- Visit the HDB website and locate the grant calculator tool.
- Input your estimated household income, family type, and desired flat type.
- The tool will generate a personalised estimate of your CHG amount.
2. Additional CPF Housing Grant (AHG):
Unlike the CHG, the AHG has its own set of eligibility criteria that are independent of the basic CHG requirements. These criteria focus on specific buyer profiles:
- Income Ceiling: The AHG has its own income ceiling limitations, typically lower than the CHG tiers.
- Family Nucleus: Specific family nucleus requirements apply to each AHG scheme. Common examples include being a young married couple buying your first HDB flat, or having a child with special needs.
Here’s how to estimate your AHG:
- Explore the details of various AHG schemes on the HDB website. Each scheme (e.g., Young Couples’ Bonus Grant, Family Grant) has its eligibility criteria.
- Once you identify a scheme you might be eligible for, use the HDB grant calculator tool to estimate your AHG amount based on the chosen scheme.
3. Special CPF Housing Grant (SHG):
The eligibility requirements and grant amounts for the SHG depend entirely on the specific scheme for which you qualify.
Here are some common examples:
- Proximity Housing Grant (PHG): This grant encourages multi-generational living by providing grants to couples buying a flat near their parents’ residence.
- Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG) for Married Couples on Resale Flat: Supports married couples who are buying a resale flat from their parents.
Estimating Your SHG:
- Explore the different SHG schemes available on the HDB website.
- Identify the SHG scheme that aligns with your buying situation (e.g., buying near parents, resale flat from parents).
- Check the specific grant amount associated with that SHG scheme on the HDB website.
Important Note: The grant calculator tool provides estimates, and the final grant amounts may be confirmed during HDB flat application processing.
Get Your Grants now
HDB grants significantly reduce the financial burden of buying an HDB flat. Explore the different grant options, check your eligibility online, and apply through the HDB website to secure financial support for your new home!
