Written by: Benjienen Toledo
Now seems to be the perfect time to transact your HDB with the simplified HDB process – One HDB Appointment, Shorter Transaction Time. The recently-enhanced CPF Housing Grant and the Additional CPF Housing Grant in which a first-timer applicant can now receive up to S$120,000 in housing grants when buying a resale flat to live with their parents; and now, the government will also simplify its criterion of determining the proximity condition of the Proximity Housing Grant (PHG). This enhancement aims to give more support to family members who want to live with or near each other.
What is Proximity Housing Grant?
PHG is defined as living in the same town, or within 2km near your parents or married child’s residence, it will be revised with immediate effect to “within 4km”, said Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat in his Budget speech on Monday (Feb 19). This enhancement gives applicants more choices when choosing a resale flat to live near their loved ones, including flats in nearby towns.
Related posts:
- What the new HDB Changes Mean to You
- Available Grants for Resale Flats
- How does Proximity Housing Grant affect you
Who Will Benefit from the Revised PHG?
Married Child and Seniors
The revised proximity condition of 4km will also apply to the Married Child Priority Scheme and Senior Priority Scheme for new flats, with effect from HDB’s May 2018 Build-To-Order (BTO) and Sale of Balance Flats (SBF) exercise.
Singles
Singles, who Mr. Heng noted are often a “key source of caregiving support within their families”, will be one group that will benefit from the enhancements. Previously, the grant was limited to singles who buy a flat to live with their parents and families who buy a flat to live with their parents or married children. Currently, eligible singles who buy a resale flat to live with their parents receive a PHG of S$10,000, this amount will be increased to S$15,000. While singles who buy a resale flat near their parents will also now receive a PHG of S$10,000.
Families
Families buying a resale flat to live with their parents or children will also benefit from an increased PHG of S$30,000, up from S$20,000 currently. Those buying a resale flat near their parents or children will continue to receive a PHG of S$20,000.
Here is the summary of the changes in the revised PHG
| Particular | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Proximity Condition | 2 km | 4 km |
| Singles | Only those who buy a flat to live with their parents |
|
| Singles who buy a flat to live with their parents | Grant amount $10,000 | Grant amount $15,000 |
| Singles who buy a resale flat near their parents | Not Eligible | Grant amount $10,000 |
| Families buying a resale flat to live with their parents or children | Grant amount $20,000 | Grant amount $30,000 |
Eligible resale flat applications received on or after 3.30pm on Feb 19 will benefit from the enhanced PHG. The PHG was introduced in 2015 to help Singaporeans buy a resale flat with or near their parents or children “for mutual care and support”. As at Dec 31, 2017, close to 11,000 households have benefitted from the PHG.
You may use HDB’s Distance Enquiry e-Service to check whether the HDB resale flat you intend to buy is within 4km of your parents’/ married child’s HDB flat or owner-occupied private residential property.
Planning to buy a resale flat? You may engage Ohmyhome Agent Services in 4 Simple Steps:
- Request an Appointment
- Meet the Agent
- Completion
- Payment
Call 6886 9009 to learn more now!
References: HDB, Channel News Asia, The Straits Times, Business Times
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