Debated in Parliament on 8 Apr 2025.
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether HDB tracks how many couples applying for their first HDB flat are ineligible for both the Enhanced CPF Housing Grant and the deferred income assessment scheme because one partner has not worked continuously for 12 months and the other is not in full-time studies or National Service; and (b) what targeted assistance is provided for such couples.
The Government is committed to keeping public housing affordable and accessible for Singaporeans. Eligible first-timers (FTs) can receive an Enhanced CPF (Central Provident Fund) Housing Grant (EHG) of up to $120,000 when they buy a new or resale flat. To help young couples who want to settle down earlier, the Deferred Income Assessment (DIA) scheme allows eligible couples to apply for a new flat first and defer their income assessment for EHG and the Housing and Development Board (HDB) housing loan nearer to key collection, when their incomes are more stable and likely higher.
In 2024, fewer than 200 FT households, where at least one party was aged 30 and below, did not qualify for both (a) EHG as they did not meet the continuous employment condition, and (b) the DIA, but HDB does not track the reasons for disqualification as requested by the Member. They formed fewer than 2% of all FT couples in this age group.
We expect the number of young households who do not qualify for these schemes to decrease. From the July 2025 sales exercise, we will expand the DIA scheme to require only one party of a couple to be a full-time student or National Serviceman, or have recently been one, instead of both of them.
We understand that each young couple's life journey is unique and we will continue to review our policies to support their housing aspirations.
PAPERCUTS