The upcoming Housing and Development Board (HDB) Build-To-Order (BTO) exercise will allow eligible first-time singles to apply for new two-room flexi flats across all Standard, Plus, and Prime projects islandwide. This marks a significant shift from the previous restriction, which limited applications to non-mature estates, according to HDB.
Starting October 2024, 1,902 two-room flexi flats will be available in 10 out of 15 BTO projects located in Ang Mo Kio, Bedok, Bukit Batok, Jurong West, Kallang/Whampoa, Pasir Ris, and Sengkang. This exercise also introduces the new classification framework for BTO flats, categorizing them into Standard, Plus, and Prime.
The new classification will not apply to existing owned flats or those launched before the October 2024 BTO exercise. Singles can still purchase resale flats of any size, except for 3Gen flats and those under the Prime Location Housing model.
HDB will allocate up to 65% of non-senior two-room flexi flats in all project categories to first-time singles. The income ceiling for singles buying a new two-room flexi flat remains at S$7,000, and the minimum age for singles applying for a HDB flat, whether BTO or resale, is 35.
Eligible first-time single buyers can also access housing grants. For instance, those with a monthly household income of up to S$4,500 can apply for a grant of up to S$60,000 from the enhanced CPF housing grant (EHG). Singles purchasing a resale flat may receive up to S$115,000 in housing grants, including the EHG, a CPF housing grant of up to S$40,000, and a proximity housing grant of up to S$15,000.
From mid-2025, singles will also have priority access when applying for a BTO flat to live with or near their parents. HDB recognizes the role of singles in caring for their parents and their preference to live closer to them. More details on the priority access will be released soon.
HDB stated, "We will continue to review our housing policies and make adjustments where necessary to support the housing needs and aspirations of singles who wish to have a place of their own."
Since 2013, eligible first-time singles have been allowed to buy two-room flexi BTO flats in non-mature estates as an alternative to purchasing a resale HDB flat under the Single Singapore Citizen Scheme introduced in 1991. The removal of this restriction, allowing singles to apply for flats islandwide, was first announced by then-Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in his final National Day Rally speech in 2023.
Source: The Business Times
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