HDB grants exist to make homeownership more affordable.
But the actual amounts and eligibility conditions change periodically, and the way they're explained online is often confusing.
Here's a plain-language breakdown of what matters most.
The Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG) is the big one
The EHG is income-based and applies to first-timer households buying both BTO and resale flats.
As of 2026, households earning $9,000/month or less qualify, with grant amounts up to:
- $120,000 for BTO
- $120,000 for resale (EHG portion only)
Important:
- The EHG is paid directly into your CPF Ordinary Account, which means it reduces your cash outflow for the flat purchase.
- It's not free cash you can spend — it becomes part of the CPF funds used to service your HDB loan.
Also important:
- The EHG requires you to stay in the flat for 5 years (the Minimum Occupation Period) before selling.
- Selling before MOP can create grant clawback and eligibility issues depending on the transaction type.
The Additional CPF Housing Grant (AHG) has been merged into EHG
If you've seen the AHG mentioned in older articles or forums, note that it was absorbed into the EHG in 2019.
Any article referencing a separate AHG is outdated.
The Proximity Housing Grant (PHG) is often overlooked
The PHG is for first-timer households buying a resale flat to live:
- near parents (within 4km)
- or with parents
It ranges from:
- $10,000 to $30,000 depending on the arrangement
This is separate from the EHG and can be stacked on top.
If you're buying a resale flat near family in Singapore, this grant is often worth thousands of dollars that families simply don't know to apply for.
The Family Grant for resale flats
First-timer families buying resale flats are eligible for a Family Grant of:
- $80,000 for 2- to 4-room flats
- $50,000 for 5-room or larger flats
This is on top of the EHG.
A first-timer couple buying a 4-room resale flat who qualifies for:
- maximum EHG
- Family Grant
- PHG
could receive up to:
- $230,000 in total grants, depending on income and proximity conditions.
That’s a significant amount that makes resale more competitive than the sticker price suggests.
What grants cannot do
Grants are disbursed into CPF, not as cash in hand.
They cannot be used to pay for:
- renovation costs
- furniture
- appliances
- anything other than the flat purchase and stamp duty
They also cannot be used if you exceed the income ceiling — even by $1 per month on the day HDB assesses eligibility.
If your household income is close to the ceiling, check the current ceiling carefully and confirm your eligibility before making assumptions.
Where to verify before making any decisions
Grant amounts, income ceilings, and conditions change with each Budget and HDB policy update.
The only reliable source is the official HDB website, specifically the grants section under “Buying a flat.”
Forum advice, agent quotes, and even well-meaning relatives may be working from outdated information.
Take 20 minutes to:
- read the official page directly
- note the current grant amounts that apply to your situation
- check whether your income qualifies
This is a decision worth tens of thousands of dollars — it deserves proper verification.
The bottom line
First-timer grants can meaningfully reduce your:
- purchase price
- required CPF outflow
- loan size
Most first-timers know grants exist but significantly underestimate how much they may qualify for.
Check the current figures, apply during your HFE / HDB appointment, and make your purchase decision with the correct numbers — not estimated ones.
