Increase in Income Ceilings and Greater Support for Families with Children
The higher ceilings expand access to subsidised housing and new ECs for more upper-middle-income buyers, potentially increasing demand across HDB and eligible EC segments.
From 24 August 2026, monthly income ceilings will rise from $14,000 to $16,000 for eligible families, $7,000 to $8,000 for singles, and $16,000 to $18,000 for new EC buyers.
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At the National Day Rally 2026, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced a range of measures to keep public housing and Executive Condominiums (ECs) affordable and accessible for Singaporeans and to provide greater support for families with children, as part of the Government’s broader efforts to encourage marriage and parenthood.
Measure
Implementation
Increase in income ceiling for:
Purchase of new subsidised flat from HDB
Purchase of resale HDB flat with CPF Housing Grant
HDB housing loan
Increase in income ceiling for:
Purchase of new subsidised flat from HDB
Purchase of resale HDB flat with CPF Housing Grant
HDB housing loan
For those who apply for an HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) letter from 24 August 2026
Increase in income ceiling for purchase of new ECs
For new units in ECs with land sale tender closing dates on or after 24 August 2026
Additional ballot chances for first-timer families with or expecting children
From the February 2027 sales exercise
Increase in Income Ceilings
The Government is committed to supporting the homeownership aspirations of Singaporeans, including first-timer families purchasing their first home. Currently, the income ceiling for home buyers purchasing subsidised HDB flats is set at $14,000 for families, and $7,000 for singles. The income ceiling ensures that the limited supply of new subsidised HDB flats, which are priced with significant market discounts, and housing grants are prioritised for lower to upper-middle income families. For new ECs, the income ceiling is higher, at $16,000, to offer an additional housing option for more families.
We review the income ceilings periodically to ensure that they keep pace with income growth. Since the income ceilings were last adjusted in 2019, incomes have risen, leading to more aspiring home buyers exceeding the income ceilings. To give more home buyers access to affordable housing options, the monthly household income ceiling will be raised from $14,000 to $16,000 for eligible families who apply for an HFE letter from 24 August 2026 to:
Buy a new subsidised HDB flat from HDB;
Buy a resale HDB flat on the open market with the CPF Housing Grant; or
Obtain an HDB housing loan for the purchase of a new or resale HDB flat.
Correspondingly, the monthly household income ceiling for eligible singles aged 35 and above purchasing a subsidised HDB flat or obtaining an HDB housing loan will be raised from $7,000 to $8,000.
The monthly household income ceiling for households looking to buy a new EC unit from property developers will also be raised from $16,000 to $18,000. The revised income ceiling will apply to new units in ECs with land sale tender closing dates on or after 24 August 2026. The revised income ceiling will not apply to balance units in existing ECs, or new units in ECs with land sale tenders awarded before 24 August 2026.
Details on the revised income ceilings can be found in Annex A, and details on how the revised income ceilings apply to existing HFE letter holders can be found in Annex B.
More Support for Families with Children
Currently, first-timer families are given greater priority in the computer ballot in Build-To-Order (BTO) and Sale of Balance Flats (SBF) exercises.
Eligible families under the First-Timer (Parents & Married Couples) category receive three ballot chances, as well as first priority under the Family and Parenthood Priority Scheme when applying for a 4-room or smaller BTO flat in Standard projects. Those who have been unsuccessful in two or more BTO applications for Standard flats will receive an additional ballot chance for each subsequent BTO application for a Standard flat, capped at five ballot chances in total.
All other first-timer families receive two ballot chances, while second-timer families receive one ballot chance. First-timer families who have been unsuccessful in two or more BTO applications for Standard flats receive an additional ballot chance for each subsequent BTO application for a Standard flat, capped at four ballot chances in total.
Additional Ballot Chances for First-timer Families With or Expecting Children
To further support families in their marriage and parenthood journey, we will give first-timer families with or expecting children additional ballot chances. From the February 2027 sales exercise, first-timer families with or expecting children will receive one additional ballot chance for each Singapore Citizen child aged 18 and below. This will apply to all BTO and SBF flat applications.
Next BTO Sales Exercise in November 2026
To give potential flat buyers sufficient time to review their housing plans and apply for an HFE letter under the revised income ceilings, the next BTO sales exercise will be held in November 2026, instead of October 2026. We would like to encourage all flat buyers who wish to participate in the BTO sales exercise to apply for an HFE letter early and submit all required documents by 25 September 2026.
About 7,960 flats in Bedok, Geylang, Sembawang, Tengah, Toa Payoh and Yishun will be launched in the upcoming November 2026 BTO sales exercise. Community Care Apartments will also be offered in Toa Payoh. More details on the projects, including their classification, will be shared during the launch.
Issued By: MND & HDB
Annex A: Revised Income Ceilings for Citizen Families & Singles
Annex B: HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) letter Applications