# Joint MND-HDB Press Release: Further Support for First-time Homebuyers - **Source:** Ministry of National Development - **Published:** 2023-02-14T02:00:00.000Z - **Author:** Ministry of National Development - **Original:** https://www.mnd.gov.sg/newsroom/press-releases/view/joint-mnd-hdb-press-release-further-support-for-first-time-homebuyers - **Topics:** HDB & Public Housing, Government & Policy, Transactions & Deals ## Featured rationale The increased assistance may improve resale-flat affordability and purchasing capacity, while greater BTO priority could help qualifying young families secure new homes sooner. ## AI summary Eligible first-time families buying resale flats can receive up to $190,000 in grants after the CPF Housing Grant increased by as much as $30,000. ## Original article JOINT MND-HDB PRESS RELEASE Further support for First-time Homebuyers Increased CPF Housing Grant for resale flat buyers; Greater priority during BTO applications for First Timer families with children and young married couples aged 40 years and below buying their first home 1. To make public housing more affordable and accessible for young families buying their first homes, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Mr Lawrence Wong, announced in the Budget Statement in Parliament today that the Government will: a) Increase the CPF Housing Grant for eligible first-time buyers of resale flats by up to $30,000, from the current maximum grant amount of $50,000 to $80,000. Eligible First-Timer families who submit their resale applications on and from 14 Feb 2023, 3:30pm will qualify for this increased CPF Housing Grant. The additional grant amount will be credited into their CPF account from Apr 2023 onwards. b) Give greater priority during BTO applications to First-Timers families with children and young married couples aged 40 years and below who are buying their first home. This will be implemented later this year. Against the backdrop of the broad-based increase in demand for housing in recent years, these measures will help more families with children and young married couples own their first home. Background 2. The current tightness in BTO supply has been driven by several factors, especially the disruption to HDB flat construction that was caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as a shift in social norms, as Singaporeans increasingly want to move out and live on their own, instead of living with their parents. 3. Across our engagements with Singaporeans, including as part of the ongoing Forward Singapore exercise, young families have shared their concerns over securing their first home. To meet the increased housing demand, we have ramped up the supply of BTO flats by 35% to 23,000 in 2022 and will continue to launch 23,000 BTO flats this year. Since the August 2022 BTO sales exercise, we have also set aside at least 95% of 4-room and larger BTO flats for First-Timer families. 4. The additional measures announced by DPM Lawrence Wong at Budget 2023 will complement the existing measures and further support families looking to purchase their first home. Increase in Maximum Amount of CPF Housing Grant for First-Timers Buying Resale Flats 5. The resale market meets the housing needs of first-time homebuyers who may have specific locational preferences such as living near their parents for mutual care and support, or a desire to secure homes sooner. However, the current strong HDB resale market may pose affordability challenges for some homebuyers. 6. The Government implemented two rounds of cooling measures in Dec 2021 and Sep 2022, and we are seeing some moderation in the rate of increase in resale prices. The launch and completion of more BTO projects over the next few years will further help ease demand and prices for resale flats. We are watching the situation closely, and will act decisively but carefully if needed to ensure a stable property market. Nonetheless, to further improve the affordability of resale flats, we will provide even more support for First-Timers through an increase in the CPF Housing Grant amount. 7. Currently, eligible First-Timers buying a resale flat can receive up to $160,000 in housing grants. This comprises the CPF Housing Grant of up to $50,000, Enhanced CPF Housing Grant of up to $80,000, and Proximity Housing Grant of up to $30,000. HDB will increase the CPF Housing Grant from $50,000 to $80,000 for eligible First-Timer families buying a 4-room or smaller resale flat, and from $40,000 to $50,000 for First-Timer families buying a 5-room or larger resale flat. Eligible First-Timer singles will similarly receive an increased CPF Housing Grant from $25,000 to $40,000 when buying a 4-room or smaller resale flat, and from $20,000 to $25,000 when buying a 5-room resale flat. With these increases, eligible First-Timer families buying a resale flat can then receive up to $190,000 in housing grants. For eligible First-Timer singles, the revised housing grants can be up $95,000. Details of the revised grants are shown in Tables A1 and A2. Table A1: Revised Grant for Eligible First-Timer Families Grant Grant Current Current Revised Revised CPF Housing Grant CPF Housing Grant 2- to 4-room flat 2- to 4-room flat $50,000 $50,000 $80,000 $80,000 5-room or larger flat 5-room or larger flat $40,000 $40,000 $50,000 $50,000 Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG) Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG) Up to $80,000 Up to $80,000 No change No change Proximity Housing Grant (PHG) Proximity Housing Grant (PHG) Up to $30,000 Up to $30,000 No change No change Total Total Up to $160,000 Up to $160,000 Up to $190,000 Up to $190,000 Table A2: Revised Grant for First-Timer Singles* Note: *First-timer singles buying a 2- to 5-room resale flat are eligible for the grant. Grant Grant Current Current Revised Revised CPF Housing Grant CPF Housing Grant 2- to 4-room flat 2- to 4-room flat $25,000 $25,000 $40,000 $40,000 5-room flat 5-room flat $20,000 $20,000 $25,000 $25,000 Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG) Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG) Up to $40,000 Up to $40,000 No change No change Proximity Housing Grant (PHG) Proximity Housing Grant (PHG) Up to $15,000 Up to $15,000 No change No change Total Total Up to $80,000 Up to $80,000 Up to $95,000 Up to $95,000 8. For eligible buyers who submit their resale applications on or after 1 Apr 2023, HDB will disburse the increased grant quantum before resale completion, as per current practice. For eligible buyers who have yet to complete their resale transaction by 3:30pm on 14 Feb 2023, or submit their resale applications on and from 3:30pm on 14 Feb 2023 to 31 Mar 2023, HDB will disburse the additional grant quantum (i.e. the difference between the increased grant and the current grant) within three months from the date of their resale completion. They do not need to approach HDB and will not face any disruption to their resale completion. Greater priority during BTO applications for First-Timer families with children and young married couples aged 40 years and below buying their first home 9. HDB offers BTO flats to meet the housing needs of diverse buyer groups, including First-Timer families, Second-Timer families, seniors and singles. The vast majority of HDB’s BTO flat supply is already set aside for First-Timer families as they have more pressing housing needs. First-Timer families also receive more ballot chances, compared to second-timer families. 10. The First-Timer category currently covers a wide range of applicants, including those who already have their own homes, but have not received housing subsidies before. HDB will introduce a new sub-category of First-Timers comprising families with children, and young married couples aged 40 years and below, who are buying their first home. This sub-category of prioritised First-Timers will receive additional support, including an additional ballot chance for their BTO applications, to support them in securing their BTO flats in a more timely manner. This will be implemented later this year and more details of the scheme as well as eligibility criteria will be shared at the Ministry of National Development Committee of Supply debate. 11. The Government remains committed to keeping public housing affordable and accessible, to meet the housing needs of Singaporeans. The measures announced today supplement existing measures to address the current tight BTO supply, and enable more genuine first-timer applicants to own their first home. Issued By : MND & HDB Date : 14 February 2023 Annex A Grants Available for First-Timers Buying HDB Flats The Government is committed to helping Singaporeans own their first homes. In pricing new flats, the key consideration is to ensure affordability for flat buyers, especially First-Timers. HDB first establishes the market value of the flat by considering the prices of comparable resale flats nearby, as well as the individual attributes of the flat and the prevailing market conditions. A significant discount is then applied to the assessed market value so that new flats are priced below market value and are affordable for first-time homebuyers across different income levels. On top of pricing new flats below market value, HDB offers various housing grants to ensure that flats remain affordable and accessible. Eligible First-Timer flat buyers can enjoy the Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG) of up to $80,000, which provides further support to lower- and middle-income families buying their first home. Those with more pressing housing needs may consider resale flats on the open market where First-Timer flat buyers can enjoy housing grants of up to $190,000. Housing Grant Housing Grant Who is it for Who is it for Grant Amount Grant Amount Families Families Singles* Singles* Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG) Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG) Families and singles* buying a new or resale HDB flat Families and singles* buying a new or resale HDB flat Up to $80,000 Up to $80,000 Up to $40,000 Up to $40,000 Proximity Housing Grant (PHG) Proximity Housing Grant (PHG) Families and singles* buying a resale flat to live with or within 4km of their parents or child/children Families and singles* buying a resale flat to live with or within 4km of their parents or child/children up to $30,000 up to $30,000 Up to $15,000 Up to $15,000 CPF Housing Grant CPF Housing Grant 2- to 4-room flat 2- to 4-room flat Families and singles* buying a resale flat Families and singles* buying a resale flat $80,000# (up from $50,000 previously) $80,000# (up from $50,000 previously) $40,000# (up from $25,000 previously) $40,000# (up from $25,000 previously) 5-room or larger flat 5-room or larger flat $50,000# (up from $40,000 previously) $50,000# (up from $40,000 previously) $25,000# (up from $20,000 previously) $25,000# (up from $20,000 previously) Total Grant Amount Total Grant Amount Up to $190,000# (up from $160,000 previously) Up to $190,000# (up from $160,000 previously) Up to $95,000# (up from $80,000 previously) Up to $95,000# (up from $80,000 previously) Note: *First-Timer singles buying a 2- to 5-room resale flat are eligible for the grant. #With effect from 1 April 2023 ## Chinese translation > Translation model: grok_cli ### 国家发展部与建屋发展局联合新闻稿：进一步支援首次购屋者 国家发展部与建屋发展局联合新闻稿 进一步支援首次购屋者 提高转售组屋买家的公积金购屋津贴； 在预购组屋（BTO）申请中，给予有子女的首次申请家庭，以及年龄在40岁及以下、购买首个住家的年轻已婚夫妇更大优先权 1. 为使公共住房对购买首个住家的年轻家庭更负担得起、更易于获得，副总理兼财政部长黄循财先生今天在国会发表预算案声明时宣布，政府将： a) 将合资格首次购买转售组屋者的公积金购屋津贴提高最多3万新元，从目前最高津贴额5万新元增至8万新元。合资格的首次申请家庭若在2023年2月14日下午3时30分及之后提呈转售申请，将符合领取此项提高后的公积金购屋津贴的资格。额外津贴金额将从2023年4月起记入其公积金账户。 b) 在预购组屋申请中，给予有子女的首次申请家庭，以及年龄在40岁及以下、购买首个住家的年轻已婚夫妇更大优先权。此项措施将于今年稍后落实。 在近年来住房需求全面上升的背景下，这些措施将帮助更多有子女的家庭及年轻已婚夫妇拥有首个住家。 背景 2. 目前预购组屋供应紧张，是由多项因素造成，尤其是新冠疫情对建屋发展局组屋建造造成的中断，以及社会规范的转变——新加坡人越来越希望搬出与父母同住，自立门户。 3. 在我们与新加坡人的沟通中，包括作为正在进行的“共创新加坡未来”（Forward Singapore）活动的一部分，年轻家庭已表达了对落实首个住家的担忧。为满足增加的住房需求，我们已将预购组屋供应提高35%至2022年的2万3000个单位，并将在今年继续推出2万3000个预购组屋单位。自2022年8月的预购组屋销售活动起，我们也已将至少95%的四房式及更大预购组屋预留给首次申请家庭。 4. 副总理黄循财在2023年财政预算案中宣布的额外措施，将补充现有措施，并进一步支援有意购买首个住家的家庭。 提高首次购买转售组屋者的公积金购屋津贴最高金额 5. 转售市场满足有特定地点偏好的首次购屋者的住房需求，例如希望住在父母附近以便互相照顾与支援，或希望更早落实住家。然而，目前强劲的建屋发展局转售市场，可能对部分购屋者构成负担能力方面的挑战。 6. 政府在2021年12月及2022年9月实施了两轮降温措施，我们已看到转售价格涨幅有所缓和。未来数年更多预购组屋项目的推出与竣工，将进一步有助纾缓转售组屋的需求与价格。我们正密切留意情况，并会在有需要时果断但谨慎地采取行动，以确保房地产市场稳定。尽管如此，为进一步提高转售组屋的负担能力，我们将通过提高公积金购屋津贴金额，为首次申请者提供更多支援。 7. 目前，合资格的首次申请者购买转售组屋最多可获16万新元的住房津贴。这包括最高5万新元的公积金购屋津贴、最高8万新元的强化公积金购屋津贴，以及最高3万新元的近居购屋津贴。建屋发展局将把合资格首次申请家庭购买四房式或更小组屋的公积金购屋津贴从5万新元提高至8万新元；购买五房式或更大转售组屋的首次申请家庭，则从4万新元提高至5万新元。合资格的首次申请单身人士同样会获得提高的公积金购屋津贴：购买四房式或更小转售组屋从2万5000新元增至4万新元；购买五房式转售组屋从2万新元增至2万5000新元。经此调整后，合资格首次申请家庭购买转售组屋最多可获19万新元的住房津贴。合资格首次申请单身人士的修订后住房津贴最高可达9万5000新元。修订后的津贴详情见表A1及表A2。 表A1：合资格首次申请家庭的修订津贴 津贴 津贴 现行 现行 修订后 修订后 公积金购屋津贴 公积金购屋津贴 二房式至四房式组屋 二房式至四房式组屋 5万新元 5万新元 8万新元 8万新元 五房式或更大组屋 五房式或更大组屋 4万新元 4万新元 5万新元 5万新元 强化公积金购屋津贴（EHG） 强化公积金购屋津贴（EHG） 最高8万新元 最高8万新元 不变 不变 近居购屋津贴（PHG） 近居购屋津贴（PHG） 最高3万新元 最高3万新元 不变 不变 合计 合计 最高16万新元 最高16万新元 最高19万新元 最高19万新元 表A2：首次申请单身人士的修订津贴* 注：*首次申请的单身人士购买二房式至五房式转售组屋符合领取津贴资格。 津贴 津贴 现行 现行 修订后 修订后 公积金购屋津贴 公积金购屋津贴 二房式至四房式组屋 二房式至四房式组屋 2万5000新元 2万5000新元 4万新元 4万新元 五房式组屋 五房式组屋 2万新元 2万新元 2万5000新元 2万5000新元 强化公积金购屋津贴（EHG） 强化公积金购屋津贴（EHG） 最高4万新元 最高4万新元 不变 不变 近居购屋津贴（PHG） 近居购屋津贴（PHG） 最高1万5000新元 最高1万5000新元 不变 不变 合计 合计 最高8万新元 最高8万新元 最高9万5000新元 最高9万5000新元 8. 对于在2023年4月1日或之后提呈转售申请的合资格买家，建屋发展局将一如现行做法，在转售完成前发放提高后的津贴金额。对于截至2023年2月14日下午3时30分尚未完成转售交易，或在2023年2月14日下午3时30分至2023年3月31日期间提呈转售申请的合资格买家，建屋发展局将在其转售完成日起三个月内发放额外津贴金额（即提高后津贴与现行津贴之间的差额）。他们无需主动联络建屋发展局，其转售完成也不会受到任何干扰。 在预购组屋申请中，给予有子女的首次申请家庭，以及年龄在40岁及以下、购买首个住家的年轻已婚夫妇更大优先权 9. 建屋发展局提供预购组屋，以满足不同买家群体的住房需求，包括首次申请家庭、二次申请家庭、乐龄人士及单身人士。建屋发展局绝大部分预购组屋供应已预留给首次申请家庭，因为他们有更迫切的住房需要。与二次申请家庭相比，首次申请家庭也获得更多抽签机会。 10. 目前的“首次申请者”类别涵盖范围广泛的申请者，包括已有自己住家、但从未领取过住房津贴的人士。建屋发展局将引入一个新的首次申请者子类别，涵盖有子女的家庭，以及年龄在40岁及以下、购买首个住家的年轻已婚夫妇。这一优先的首次申请者子类别将获得额外支援，包括在预购组屋申请中获得额外一次抽签机会，以协助他们更及时地落实预购组屋。此项措施将于今年稍后落实，计划详情及资格准则将在国家发展部供应委员会辩论中进一步公布。 11. 政府仍致力于保持公共住房负担得起、易于获得，以满足新加坡人的住房需求。今天宣布的措施补充现有措施，以应对目前预购组屋供应紧张的情况，并让更多真正的首次申请者拥有首个住家。 发布机构：国家发展部与建屋发展局 日期：2023年2月14日 附件A 首次购买建屋发展局组屋者可获的津贴 政府致力于协助新加坡人拥有首个住家。在为新组屋定价时，关键考虑是确保组屋买家、尤其是首次申请者负担得起。建屋发展局首先参考附近可比较转售组屋的价格、组屋的个别属性及当时市况，确定组屋的市场价值。随后会对评估的市场价值给予显著折扣，使新组屋以低于市值的价格出售，让不同收入水平的首次购屋者都能负担得起。 除了将新组屋定价低于市值外，建屋发展局还提供各项住房津贴，以确保组屋保持负担得起、易于获得。合资格的首次申请组屋买家可享有最高8万新元的强化公积金购屋津贴（EHG），为购买首个住家的中低收入家庭提供进一步支援。有更迫切住房需要的人士可考虑在公开市场购买转售组屋，首次申请组屋买家最多可享有19万新元的住房津贴。 住房津贴 住房津贴 适用对象 适用对象 津贴金额 津贴金额 家庭 家庭 单身人士* 单身人士* 强化公积金购屋津贴（EHG） 强化公积金购屋津贴（EHG） 购买新组屋或转售组屋的家庭及单身人士* 购买新组屋或转售组屋的家庭及单身人士* 最高8万新元 最高8万新元 最高4万新元 最高4万新元 近居购屋津贴（PHG） 近居购屋津贴（PHG） 购买转售组屋以与父母或子女同住，或住在其4公里范围内的家庭及单身人士* 购买转售组屋以与父母或子女同住，或住在其4公里范围内的家庭及单身人士* 最高3万新元 最高3万新元 最高1万5000新元 最高1万5000新元 公积金购屋津贴 公积金购屋津贴 二房式至四房式组屋 二房式至四房式组屋 购买转售组屋的家庭及单身人士* 购买转售组屋的家庭及单身人士* 8万新元# （此前为5万新元） 8万新元# （此前为5万新元） 4万新元# （此前为2万5000新元） 4万新元# （此前为2万5000新元） 五房式或更大组屋 五房式或更大组屋 5万新元# （此前为4万新元） 5万新元# （此前为4万新元） 2万5000新元# （此前为2万新元） 2万5000新元# （此前为2万新元） 津贴总额 津贴总额 最高19万新元# （此前最高16万新元） 最高19万新元# （此前最高16万新元） 最高9万5000新元# （此前最高8万新元） 最高9万5000新元# （此前最高8万新元） 注： *首次申请的单身人士购买二房式至五房式转售组屋符合领取津贴资格。 #自2023年4月1日起生效