HDB Grants Eligibility 2026 Singapore: Full Guide for First-Timers and Families
A practical 2026 guide to HDB housing grants in Singapore. Check eligibility for EHG, Family Grant, and PHG for BTO and resale flats.
Last updated: 10 Mar 2026
If you are buying your first HDB flat in 2026, grants can lower your upfront cost significantly — but only if you match the right scheme to your buyer profile.
This guide focuses on HDB grant eligibility and stacking logic for BTO vs resale, with official source references only.
Quick answer: what grants can first-timers get?
For most first-timer buyers, the three core grants are:
- Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG)
- CPF Housing Grant (Family Grant)
- Proximity Housing Grant (PHG)
The key difference is simple:
- BTO buyers usually rely on EHG.
- Resale buyers may stack EHG + Family Grant + PHG (if eligible).
1) EHG (for BTO and resale)
Per HDB, EHG is available to eligible first-timer households buying either a new flat or resale flat.
- Max amount: up to $80,000 (families), $40,000 (singles)
- Income ceiling: up to $9,000 household (families), $4,500 (singles)
- Employment condition: at least one applicant with 12 months continuous employment before application
Official reference:
2) Family Grant (resale only)
For first-timer families buying resale flats:
- Up to $80,000 for 2- to 4-room resale flats
- Up to $50,000 for 5-room or larger resale flats
- Income ceiling: up to $14,000 monthly household income
- Applies to: resale only
Official reference:
3) PHG (resale only, no income ceiling)
PHG supports buyers who live with or near parents/married child:
- $30,000 if living with parents/married child
- $20,000 if living within 4km
- Income ceiling: none
- Applies to: resale only
Singles have lower PHG quanta under their eligible scheme.
Official reference:
4) Families vs singles: what changes?
First-timer families
- Can access higher combined grant amounts in resale scenarios.
- Typical stack for resale (if eligible): Family Grant + EHG + PHG.
First-timer singles (35+)
- Can still access EHG and resale-related grants under singles rules.
- Grant amounts are generally lower than family quanta.
Always validate through HFE and latest HDB scheme tables before committing.
5) BTO vs resale stacking examples
Example A: BTO first-timer family
- Eligible grant route is typically EHG only.
- Final EHG amount is tiered by income.
Example B: Resale first-timer family
- Potential stack: Family Grant + EHG + PHG.
- This is why resale buyers may see a larger total subsidy package than BTO buyers.
6) CPF usage rule you must not miss
HDB grants are not paid as cash to your bank account.
They are credited to your CPF OA and used for housing purchase financing according to CPF/HDB rules.
Important practical points:
- Grants are used to offset purchase financing (not “free cash”).
- They cannot replace mandatory cash components where cash is required.
- Upon future sale, CPF used (including grants) is refunded to CPF with accrued interest under CPF rules.
Official CPF reference:
If you need deeper duty math or broader CPF planning, use these dedicated guides (to avoid mixed intent):
7) FAQ
Can I use HDB grants for my required cash downpayment?
No. Grants are credited into CPF OA and applied under CPF/HDB housing payment rules; they are not direct cash payout.
Is PHG available for BTO purchases?
No. PHG is tied to resale purchase scenarios (living with/near parents or married child).
Do I return the grant when I sell my flat?
CPF used for property (including grant amounts credited and used) is refunded to CPF with accrued interest per CPF rules.
What is the EHG income ceiling in 2026?
For this guide baseline: up to $9,000 (families) and $4,500 (singles), subject to HDB’s latest published rules.
Official sources
- HDB: CPF Housing Grants for HDB flats
- HDB: CPF Housing Grants for resale flats (families)
- CPF Board: Using your CPF to buy a home
