What government housing subsidies or assistance are available for single parents in Singapore?

Currently, as of the information provided by HDB and CPF Board on 8 December 2023, the government subsidies and assistance schemes available for single parents in Singapore include the Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG), Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS), Assistance Scheme for Second-Timers (Divorced/Widowed Parents) (ASSIST), Joint Singles Scheme (JSS) and Public Rental Scheme (PRS).

Guide On Government Housing Schemes For Single Parents In Singapore

As Singapore’s Family Justice Courts (FJC) takes a refreshed approach of therapeutic justice and introduces new rules, couples in Singapore can file for divorces under a “simplified track”, even though they have not agreed on ancillary matters such as alternative accommodation or housing arrangements, and child custody and maintenance.

Whether you’re raising a child before registering your marriage with your partner, widowed with children under your care, or going through a divorce, it isn’t an easy task as you take on the roles of both parents and run the household at the same time, which includes being able to afford a roof over your child’s head.

Here are some insights and a quick overview of the government housing subsidies and assistance schemes available to help you navigate your way in the property scene as a single parent.

What Government Housing Subsidies & Assistance Single Parents Can Apply For?

Single parents in Singapore can apply for various government housing subsidies and assistance schemes to help them with their housing needs. These schemes provide financial assistance for buying, renting, or upgrading their homes.

Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG)

The Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG) actually replaced the Additional CPF Housing Grant (AHG) and Special CPF Housing Grant (SHG) in 2019 and is:

Only applicable for divorced and widowed persons buying a new flat from HDB with their children, if they are first-timers.
Beneficial for divorced single parents as it provides up to $40,000 for first-time homebuyers, depending on their income. Singles can receive up to $20,000.

Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS)

Single parents can also apply for the Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS). This scheme provides temporary rental flats for single parents who are divorced or widowed with children, and need housing while waiting for their Build-to-Order (BTO) flats to be completed.

Assistance Scheme for Second-Timers (Divorced/Widowed Parents) (ASSIST)

As for divorced or widowed parents who are buying a second HDB flat and seeking financial assistance, the Assistance Scheme for Second-Timers (Divorced/Widowed Parents) (ASSIST) may be more applicable. However, the single parent must have at least 1 child aged 18 years or below (i.e. natural offspring from a legal marriage or legally adopted), must not have acquired any interest in an HDB flat or private residential property (except for your matrimonial flat/ property) after the date of divorce/ separation or demise of the spouse.

Joint Singles Scheme (JSS)

The Joint Singles Scheme (JSS) allows single parents to pool their resources with other single Singaporeans (usually assigned by the Joint Singles Scheme Operator) to rent a HDB flat. However, you and your proposed applicant(s) must be Singapore Citizen (SC) and single (at least 35 years old), divorced or legally separated, widowed or orphaned (at least 21 years old).

Public Rental Scheme (PRS)

When it comes to rental options with subsidies, the Public Rental Scheme (PRS) provides rental subsidies for single unmarried parents, Non-SC single parents with SC child, and divorced parents with shared care and control. HDB will contact the relevant parties to understand more about the situation, and will consider submitted requests in the best interest of their children.

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Possession of the required citizenship

Single parents must be Singapore citizens to qualify for most government housing subsidies and grants, including the Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG), Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS), Joint Singles Scheme (JSS) and Assistance Scheme for Second-Timers (Divorced/Widowed Parents) (ASSIST).

For purchasing of private properties, single parents who are Singapore citizens or Permanent Residents (PRs) for at least five years, with exceptional economic contributions made to Singapore will be assessed and subject to approval under the Residential Property Act on a case-by-case basis.

Single parents who are foreigners do not require approval under the Residential Property Act to buy private condominium units, strata landed houses in approved condominium developments, or a leasehold estate in a landed residential property for a term not exceeding 7 years.

Meeting the suitable age requirements

The minimum age for single parents to purchase an HDB flat is 21 years old. This applies to both Build-to-Order (BTO) flats and resale flats. For purchasing of private properties, the minimum legal age is the same as HDB flats and ECs, which is 21 years old, unless your purchase can be made under a trust (which are reviewed on a case-by-case basis for private property owners who are below 21 years old).

Qualifying for the various income ceilings

Single parents must meet the income ceiling for the respective housing scheme or grant they are applying for. The income ceilings are periodically adjusted by the Housing and Development Board (HDB). For purchasing of private properties, there are no income ceiling requirements at the moment.

Doing with lesser grant amount as single buyers

Single buyers receive half the grant amount compared to married couples for most housing grants, except for the Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS). This means that single parents may have to make a larger down payment and have a higher mortgage burden.

Putting up with stricter restrictions on BTO sizes

Single parents can only purchase up to a 3-room flat in a non-mature estate when buying a BTO flat. Currently, they are not eligible for larger flats or flats in mature estates.

Limited accessibility to new ECs via JSS

Single parents can only purchase new Executive Condominiums (ECs) through the Joint Singles Scheme (JSS), which means they must pool their resources with other single Singaporeans to purchase an EC unit.

Higher challenges faced with MSR

Single parents are subject to the same Mortgage Servicing Ratio (MSR) as married couples, which limits their total debt obligations to 60% of their gross monthly income. This can make it more challenging for single parents to qualify for a mortgage, especially if they have other existing debts.

Getting Adoption Order if relevant

For adoptive parents, you must have the Adoption Order (which are the legal adoption papers) of your child when you apply for a flat. This process involves filing an application with the court, and it might require legal advice or assistance. Thereafter, you’ll have to update HDB on the status of this Adoption Order. Once the adoption is legally finalised, you should provide HDB with a copy of the Adoption Order and any other relevant documents.

*Note that the information above acquired is accurate at the time of writing on 7 December 2023, as per the SLA and HDB’s websites, and is subject to change.

How Do I Apply For The Assistance Scheme for Second-Timers (ASSIST) / Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS)?

	Assistance Scheme for Second-Timers (ASSIST)	Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS)
Eligibility	Divorced or widowed parent with at least one Singapore Citizen child Purchasing a second HDB flat Household income not exceeding $7,000 Not owning or having an interest in any other residential property	Booked an uncompleted HDB flat through a sales exercise Married couple (both first-timers or a first-timer and a second-timer) Fiancé/Fiancée under the Fiancé/Fiancée Scheme (both first-timers or a first-timer and a second-timer) Divorced or widowed parents with children Household income not exceeding $7,000 Not owning or having an interest in any existing HDB flat
Application Process	1. Submit application: First-timers can apply online via MyHDBPage, while couples or divorced/widowed parents with children (second-timers) can contact the HDB Branch Service Line at 1800-225-5432 or express interest in flat sharing. 2. Provide supporting documents: Submit necessary documents such as NRIC, child's birth certificate, divorce decree/death certificate, income documents, and property ownership records. 3. Interview: Some applicants may be invited for an interview to discuss their circumstances and eligibility. 4. Outcome notification: Applicants receive notification of their application status within 4-6 weeks.	1. Check availability and rates: Flat availability and rental rates are updated on the 1st of even months. Note that the application window for PPHS opens every two months (Feb, Apr, Jun, Aug, Oct, Dec) from the 1st to the 14th of the month. 2. Submit online application: First-time applicants can apply online via MyHDBPage. Couples with a mix of first-timers and second-timers, divorced/widowed parents with children (second-timers), or those interested in flat sharing can contact the HDB Branch Service Line. 3. Pay Administrative fee: A non-refundable $10 administrative fee is mandatory for each application. 4. Selection and outcome: Successful applicants are invited for flat selection the following month.
*Note that both the schemes above require meeting the minimum site expiry period for the PPHS flat, at least 4 months after the booked flat's estimated/probable completion date. Applicants can only be listed in one PPHS application per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

What government housing subsidies or assistance are available for single parents in Singapore?: Currently, as of the information provided by HDB and CPF Board on 8 December 2023, the government subsidies and assistance schemes available for single parents in Singapore include the Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG), Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS), Assistance Scheme for Second-Timers (Divorced/Widowed Parents) (ASSIST), Joint Singles Scheme (JSS) and Public Rental Scheme (PRS).
Is there a minimum age requirement for single parents to buy HDB flats or private properties in Singapore?: Yes. The minimum age for single parents to purchase an HDB flat is 21 years old. This applies to both Build-to-Order (BTO) flats and resale flats. For purchasing of private properties, the minimum legal age is the same as HDB flats and ECs, which is 21 years old, unless your purchase can be made under a trust (which are reviewed on a case-by-case basis for private property owners who are below 21 years old).
Am I eligible for the Joint Singles Scheme (JSS) as a single parent?: Yes and no, it depends on a couple of factors. You and your proposed applicant(s) must be Singapore Citizen (SC) and single (at least 35 years old), divorced or legally separated, widowed or orphaned (at least 21 years old), before you can be eligible the JSS.