Written by: Rita Magallona
Do you need to take care of both young children and ageing parents? Or perhaps you want to increase your chances to be balloted for an HDB flat. If you answered yes to these questions, then the Married Child Priority Scheme (MCPS) is something worth considering.
As part of the “sandwich generation,” you are probably dealing with both paediatrician checkups and geriatric appointments, strollers and walking canes, child-proofed cabinets and slide-resistant floors. You also get to enjoy a rich life filled with bedtime stories and family photo albums, preschool artwork and grandma’s home cooking.
With the MCPS, you get the best of both worlds while being there for the people who need you most.
What is the Married Child Priority Scheme (MCPS)?
The MCPS is a priority scheme designed to keep families together even after the marriage of the child. If you and your co-applicants are eligible, this scheme will give you priority if you want to buy a flat that is near the residence of your parents.
4 Things You Need to Know About the MCPS
Do you want to apply for this scheme to be given priority for the flat you want? Here are some eligibility questions you need to answer:
1. How near should the prospective flat be from the residence of your parents?
To qualify for the MCPS, the flat you want should be within four kilometres of the home of your parents. That home can either be an HDB flat or a private residential property.
If your parents do not own their residential property, an immediate family member (child, adopted child, or siblings) should own it. If your parents own more than one property, the property they live in will be used for proximity reference.
2. What if, instead of just being near, you want to buy a flat where you can live with your parents, would that qualify?
A flat where you can live together with your parents not only qualifies for the MCPS, it also gives you a higher priority than if you were applying for a flat that is near the residence of your parents.
3. Who can apply for the MCPS?
Either you or your parents can apply for the MCPS. All that is needed is for one of your parents to be a Singapore citizen (SC) or a Singapore Permanent Resident (SPR) and the flat you want is near their flat.
You should meet the requirements to qualify for the Proximity Housing Grant. If you are applying for MCPS with your parents, you have to include your parents in your application as they will be living with you in that flat.
4. How long should your parents live in the flat with you?
The required minimum occupation period (MOP) is five years. This means that if you live near your parents who helped you qualify for the scheme, your parents should continue to reside where they do for the next five years after you have acquired your new home.
Remember: If you opted for the “with parents” category, your parents may not move out until after five years of your HDB completion appointment.
Before you move in, make sure you follow these renovation tips for homes with senior citizens. Guess what? A lot of these tips also work for homes with young children.
Do you like the idea of regular family meals where everyone – from Grandpa down to the tiniest infant – are gathered around the table? The MCPS is a great way for you to strengthen family bonds and have peace of mind.
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