Buying your first home as a couple is a big milestone. It’s about building a shared future, creating your own space, and figuring out life together. The challenge in Singapore, however, often lies in the extensive planning ahead required. Wedding expenses, entry-level salaries, and renovation costs can make homeownership feel financially out of reach just when couples are ready to settle down.
Fortunately, the Housing & Development Board (HDB) has rolled out a robust slate of measures in 2025 specifically to support young couples. These policies are designed to empower young Singaporeans to make housing decisions with confidence.
We share an overview of key HDB schemes and grants that could apply to young, soon-to-wed, or newly married Singaporean couples—from income deferment to rental support. While the relevance of schemes differ based on your situation, knowing the available options helps couples to plan with greater clarity.
HDB Grants and Schemes for First-Time Young Homebuyers in 2025
- Income Assessment Deferment
- Staggered Downpayment Scheme
- Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG)
- Proximity Housing Grant (PHG)
- CPF Housing Grant (Families)
- Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS)
- Open Market Rental Voucher
- Final thoughts
1. Income Assessment Deferment—Secure a BTO flat before your career even starts
Many young couples previously missed out on applying for a BTO flat simply because they hadn’t started earning a full-time income or met the minimum income assessment period.
With the Income Assessment Deferment Scheme, eligible couples can book a flat without 12 months of employment history during the application. Instead, income assessment will be deferred till 3 months before key collection, giving couples more time to build up their financial profile before being assessed.
You can now reserve your future home while pursuing your degree or serving NS, without rushing to meet the 12-month income requirement upfront.
You’re eligible if:
- Both applicants are 30 years old or younger
- At least one is a first-time homebuyer
- At least one is a full-time student or NSF
- You apply under the Fiancé-Fiancée or Married Couple Scheme
It’s especially helpful for:
- Final-year students planning to get married soon
- NSFs who want to secure a flat soon after completing National Service, without waiting to build up 12 months of income
- Young couples who want to secure a home early—before real estate price fluctuations and hikes
How to applyThere’s no separate form or checkbox for this scheme. If you’re eligible, HDB will automatically defer your income assessment to the point of key collection. Here’s what to do:
HDB will inform you when it’s time to submit your income documents—usually a few months before your flat is ready. Your housing loan and CPF grants will then be calculated based on your actual income at that point. |
ALSO READ: Is It Better to Use CPF to Buy HDB or Condo?
2. Staggered Downpayment Scheme—As little as 2.5% downpayment needed at booking
So you’ve secured your BTO early. The next step is figuring out how to manage the downpayment.
Enter the Staggered Downpayment Scheme (SDS), which lets you split your downpayment into 2 phases: once at the signing of the Agreement for Lease, and the rest when you collect your keys (usually 3 to 4 years later). This lightens the financial burden at the start and gives couples more time to build up their savings.
How much you need to pay upfront depends on whether you’re a regular applicant or a young couple under Deferred Income Assessment (where your income is assessed closer to key collection).
|
Financing option |
At Agreement for Lease | At key collection |
| Regular applicants | ||
| HDB Loan / No Loan | 5% of purchase price | 20% of purchase price |
| Bank Loan (75% LTV) | 10% of purchase price (min. 5% cash) | 15% of purchase price |
| Bank Loan (55% LTV) | 10% of purchase price (cash only) | 35% of purchase price |
| Young couples under Deferred Income Assessment | ||
| HDB Loan / No Loan | 2.5% of purchase price | 22.5% of purchase price |
| Bank Loan (75% LTV) | 2.5% of purchase price (cash only) | 22.5% of purchase price |
| Bank Loan (55% LTV) | 2.5% of purchase price (cash only) | 42.5% of purchase price |
For regular applicants, the upfront downpayment is typically 5% to 10% of the flat price. But for young couples under Deferred Income Assessment, the upfront amount is just 2.5%—a much smaller sum to pay while you’re still studying or starting out in your career.
The rest of the downpayment is only due at key collection, giving couples several years to strengthen their finances before taking on the full housing commitment.
Why this matters:
- Reduces upfront pressure during one of life’s most financially stretched periods—whether you’re juggling varsity tuition, limited NS allowance, or wedding deposits.
- Gives time to grow CPF and cash reserves. When key collection comes around, you’re better positioned to cover the remaining downpayment without relying on loans or external help.
- Keeps planning on track, allowing the couple to commit to a home early without delaying marriage, career movements, or family planning due to financial uncertainty.
Who’s eligible?You’ll automatically qualify for the SDS if you meet the following conditions: For young couples:
For right-sizing owners:
Not sure if you qualify? If you’re under 30 and getting your first BTO together, you most likely do. Make sure your HFE letter is submitted in time. |
3. Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG)—Up to $120,000 in support
Now that you’ve booked your flat and minimised downpayment, the next big question is: how much can you offset with grants from the total price?
Unlike loans, EHG doesn’t need to be repaid. It’s credited straight into your CPF Ordinary Account (OA) and used to pay for your flat—whether you’re applying for a BTO or resale unit.
The amount you receive will depend on your combined household income. The lower your income, the higher the grant.
How much can you get?
| Average monthly household income | EHG amount |
| Not more than $1,500 | $120,000 |
| $1,501 to $2,000 | $110,000 |
| $2,001 to $2,500 | $105,000 |
| $2,501 to $3,000 | $95,000 |
| $3,001 to $3,500 | $90,000 |
| $3,501 to $4,000 | $80,000 |
| $4,001 to $4,500 | $70,000 |
| $4,501 to $5,000 | $65,000 |
| $5,001 to $5,500 | $55,000 |
| $5,501 to $6,000 | $50,000 |
| $6,001 to $6,500 | $40,000 |
| $6,501 to $7,000 | $30,000 |
| $7,001 to $7,500 | $25,000 |
| $7,501 to $8,000 | $20,000 |
| $8,001 to $8,500 | $10,000 |
| $8,501 to $9,000 | $5,000 |
Source: HDB
This grant is disbursed directly into your CPF OA after you sign the Agreement for Lease to finance the property loan.
Why it matters:
- Reduces the loanable quantum, meaning you face less financial burden early in your career
- Lowers monthly repayments, freeing up cash flow for other expenses
- Savings from interest incurred over time—you pay less overall and retain more of your CPF savings.
Scenario:You and your partner earn a combined $3,000/month and successfully apply for a BTO flat priced at $400,000.
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Why EHG is ideal for first-time homeowners:
- It applies to both BTO and resale flats, giving you more flexibility.
- With a high income ceiling of $9,000, even fresh grads and early-career couples can qualify.
- It can be stacked with the Family Grant and Proximity Housing Grant, bringing total grant support up to $190,000 especially if you’re looking at resale.
What about second-time homeowners?While EHG won’t apply, there are other grants you can consider:
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4. Proximity Housing Grant (PHG)—Up to $30,000 to live near family [resale only]
When choosing a resale flat, location matters as much as price. For couples who want to live close to parents or in-laws—whether for caregiving, support with young children, or simply to stay connected—the Proximity Housing Grant (PHG) provides added financial relief to find a suitable home.
This grant isn’t tied to income levels or if you’re a first-time buyer. Instead, it rewards those choosing to stay near family, making it easier to prioritise both emotional and logistical considerations in your home-buying
PHG only applies to HDB resale flats. BTO flats do not qualify, even if located near parents.
What you can get:
- $30,000 – If you’re buying a resale flat to live with your parents or married children
- $20,000 – If you’re buying one within 4km of them
Who is eligible:
- At least one applicant must be a Singapore Citizen
- You must be buying an HDB resale flat
- The new home must be within 4km of your parents’ or married children’s home, or under the same roof
Not sure if your flat qualifies for the PHG? Use HDB’s Proximity Housing Grant Distance Enquiry Tool to check if your new home meets the eligibility criteria.
5. CPF Housing Grant (Families)—Up to $80,000 for first-Time Resale Flat Buyers
For first-time buyers considering a resale flat, the CPF Housing Grant for Families offers one of the most substantial support. Unlike the PHG, which is tied to location and proximity of loved ones, the Family Grant is based on buyer profile and type of flat purchased, regardless of the location.
A one-time subsidy (up to $80,000) is credited directly into your CPF Ordinary Account (OA) to offset your purchase.
Who qualifies for the CPF Housing Grant (Families)?
- At least one applicant must be a Singapore Citizen
- At least one applicant must be a first-time buyer
- You must be buying an HDB resale flat
- You must live in the flat for at least 5 years (Minimum Occupation Period)
The grant amount depends on your flat size and household status:
- Couples/families buying a 4-room or smaller resale flat → up to $80,000
- Couples/families buying a 5-room or larger resale flat → up to $50,000
Singles applying under the Single Scheme will receive a smaller Family Grant amount (up to $40,000), subject to eligibility.
What does this mean for your finances?
- Lower downpayment: For a $420,000 resale flat, 20% downpayment is $84,000. With the Family Grant, a large portion can be covered through CPF.
- Smaller loan required: A reduced purchase price means less borrowing and lower interest payments.
- More cash flow: Lower mortgage commitments free up money for renovation, childcare, or emergency savings.
6. Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS)—A Practical Bridge Between Now and Then
After securing a flat—be it a resale unit or a BTO still under construction—the next challenge is bridging the waiting period before move-in.
The PPHS was created to bridge that gap, providing temporary rental flats at subsidised rates to eligible couples to avoid costly rentals or delay moving in together.
You’re eligible if:
- You’re a married couple with at least one child under 18
- You’re an expectant parent with doctor’s certification
- You’re a first-timer household who has successfully booked a BTO or SBF flat
❗For adoptive parents, you must have the Adoption Order of your child when you apply for a flat
Why PPHS matters:
- Lets you move in earlier—no need to wait years to start a life together
- Avoids the high cost of market rate rentals, often $2,000–$3,000/month $1,800-$3,800/month
- Accumulates savings to contribute towards the house loan
7. Open Market Rental Voucher—a small cushion in a competitive rental market
Unfortunately, getting a PPHS flat isn’t guaranteed. You can expect high demand as a cost-friendly alternative. and if you don’t meet the priority criteria (e.g. having kids), your application might be sidelined. Thankfully, you’re not left to deal with soaring rental prices.
To ease the pressure for couples waiting on BTO or SBF flats, HDB offers an Open Market Rental Voucher—a monthly offset of $300 to help cover the cost of renting from the open market. While it’s not a full subsidy, it still lightens the financial load while you wait to move in.
You’re eligible if:
- You’ve booked a BTO or Sale of Balance Flat (SBF)
- You must not be renting from close relatives
- Your private rental lease starts on a date that is within the qualifying tenancy period
| Batch | Cap on months | Tenancy start period |
| Batch 1 | Up to 12 months | 1 Jul 2024 – 30 Jun 2025 |
| Batch 2 | Up to 6 months | 1 Jul 2025 – 31 Dec 2025 |
Source: HDB
Refer to HDB’s 2024 announcement on greater support for young couples for more details.
How much support can you get?
- $300 per month, disbursed monthly
- Valid for up to 12 months
- Credited into your CPF Ordinary Account
8. Final thoughts
With enhanced support from deferred income assessments and staggered downpayments to rental assistance and CPF grants, first-time homeowners have more flexibility to plan smartly and own a home. By stacking the schemes/grants strategically, couples can optimise the support to match their circumstances.
Our advice to optimise the schemes. Apply early under the Income Assessment Deferment Scheme, pay less upfront with SDS, offset your flat cost with the EHG or Family Grant, and get rental support through PPHS or the Open Market Voucher while waiting for your keys. Stack smart, plan early, and take your next step forward with confidence.
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