The Housing & Development Board (HDB) was set up in 1960 with a humble mission to provide a roof over the heads of Singaporeans, amidst the acute housing shortage confronting the nation. Within 3 years, we had built more than 21,000 flats and rehoused many families from unhygienic squatter houses to decent homes fitted with modern sanitation, easing the crisis. Building on this foundation, HDB introduced the Home Ownership for the People Scheme in 1964, marking the shift from building flats for rental to enabling Singaporeans to own their homes. Over the years, HDB has continually refined its housing policies to keep pace with changing demographics, as well as the evolving needs and aspirations of Singaporeans.

These are some of our key milestones through the decades.

1960s: Laying the foundation of home ownership

In the early years, HDB focused on building basic functional flats as quickly as possible to meet urgent housing needs. These flats were only available for rental. In 1964, HDB launched the Home Ownership for the People Scheme, enabling lower-income Singaporeans to buy a flat from HDB and own their homes. The flats were sold below market rates to ensure affordability. In 1967, the Land Acquisition Act was enacted, paving the way for HDB to clear slums and squatter settlements for public housing and infrastructure developments, while in 1968, the CPF Amendment Act was passed to allow Singaporeans to use their CPF savings for housing, making home ownership more attainable.

Neighbourhood Centre in Toa Payoh

1970s: Resale of HDB flats

In 1971, to encourage upward mobility, HDB flat owners were allowed to sell their flats on the open market after fulfilling a minimum occupation period of three years. This was later extended to five years to ensure that flat buyers purchase flats for occupation and not solely for investment.

1980s: Improving housing designs and refining housing policies for fairness and social cohesion

By the 1980s, as Singaporeans became more affluent and expectations for public housing standards grew, HDB’s focus had shifted from building basic flats quickly to improving the quality and amenities of HDB towns and estates. Steps were taken to add variety to the designs of HDB flats and to foster a stronger town identity.

HDB also refined its housing policies to balance fairness, support families and foster social cohesion. In 1985, the “two bites of the cherry” principle was introduced, which allowed families to buy only two HDB flats at subsidised rates. In the same year, HDB implemented the Low-Income Family Incentive Scheme to assist low-income families and rental flat tenants to own their first subsidised flat while in 1987, HDB’s Third Child Priority Scheme was introduced to accord larger families priority in flat allocation.

In 1989, to promote racial integration and prevent the formation of racial enclaves in HDB estates, HDB implemented the Ethnic Integration Policy (EIP). Under the EIP, an ethnic quota for each neighbourhood and block was set to ensure a balanced mix of ethnic communities.

1990s: Upgrading estates and expanding housing access

In 1990, to bring its older towns and estates closer to the standard of newer ones, HDB launched the Main Upgrading Programme (MUP) to comprehensively upgrade older HDB flats and estates. The upgrading programme, which was heavily subsidised by the Government, offered improvements within the flats, such as upgrading the toilets and bathrooms, adding a utility room or balcony, and replacing old soil discharge stacks as well as enhancements to the playgrounds, covered walkways and landscaped areas.

To keep pace with evolving needs and aspirations, HDB introduced the Single Singapore Citizen Scheme in 1991, which enabled singles over 35 to buy 3-room and smaller resale flats at selected locations.

In 1994, the CPF Housing Grant Scheme was introduced for first-timer families buying resale flats to live with or near their parents, encouraging intergenerational support. Subsequently, a two-tier grant was introduced in 1995, with a first tier for first-timer families buying resale flats anywhere and a higher tier for those buying resale flats near their parents. The grant was also extended to single citizens in 1998.

In 1997, to encourage financial prudence, credit assessment was conducted for flat buyers taking HDB mortgage loans and each household was limited to two concessionary loans.

Pilot upgrading projects in Woodlands

2000s: Introducing BTO and strengthening financial support

In the 2000s, HDB introduced a new mode of sale for flats and further reviewed its housing policies to enhance support for home buyers. The Staggered Downpayment Scheme, introduced in 2000, to assist young married couples to set up home early, allows them to pay the down payment for their new flats in two stages. In 2001, HDB launched the Build-To-Order (BTO) programme to better match the supply of flats to actual demand. The programme, which replaced the older Registration for Flats System, offers flat buyers greater flexibility in choosing the location and timing of their flat purchase. In 2004, the Single Singapore Citizen Scheme was expanded to allow singles to buy 4-room and larger resale flats in all locations, while, the Additional CPF Housing Grant (AHG) was introduced in 2006 to help lower-income families own their first home. They could buy either a new or resale flat with the grant.

In 2007, the Home Improvement Programme (HIP) replaced MUP. By separating the works into essential and optional improvements, the HIP enabled a more targeted approach to address maintenance issues within the flat, while offering greater flexibility for residents to choose and pay only for the optional items they need.

Early 2010s: Increasing housing supply and new grants

In 2010, HDB completed its one-millionth flat with the delivery of Treelodge@Punggol, marking a historic milestone in Singapore's public housing journey.

At the same time, Singapore faced a new challenge following the hot property market boom that emerged from the swift economic recovery after the 2008 Global Financial Crisis. HDB responded to the high demands for new flats by significantly increasing flat supply, with almost 100,000 BTO flats launched between 2011 and 2014. With the ramp up of flat supply, HDB also seized the opportunity to build a new generation of public housing, guided by a new design roadmap. New housing areas such as Bidadari, Tampines North, and Punggol Matilda, which were launched in 2013, featured innovative urban design concepts that emphasised sustainability, connectivity and community living based on this framework.

In 2011, HDB rolled out the Special CPF Housing Grant (SHG) for low-income first-time homebuyers buying standard BTO flats in non-mature estates. Initially, households earning $1,500 and below could only purchase 2-room BTO flats with the $20,000 grant. The following year, the SHG was extended to include the purchase of 3-room standard flats in non-mature estates.

In 2012, to address the needs of Singapore’s rapidly ageing population, HDB launched the Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE) programme. Under EASE, households with senior members could choose to install elderly-friendly fittings such as grab bars, ramps, and slip-resistant tiles in their flats at subsidised rates, to help them age-in-place safely and comfortably.

In 2013, singles were allowed to buy 2-room BTO flats in non-mature estates directly from HDB, expanding the housing options for them beyond buying a resale flat. The AHG and SHG were also extended to singles, providing more support for them to own a home.

To promote more inclusive communities within new housing developments, HDB introduced integrated blocks with both rental and sold flats in BTO projects in 2014.

The first Bidadari projects at Alkaff Courtview and Alkaff Lakeside overlooking Bidadari Park

Late 2010s: Introducing more housing options

In the late 2010s, HDB introduced more housing options for different segments of the population. The 2-room Flexi scheme was launched in 2015, providing an additional housing option for families, singles and seniors, with seniors able to opt for shorter leases ranging from 15 to 45 years. In the same year, HDB introduced the Proximity Housing Grant of up to $20,000 to further help families buy a resale flat with or near their parents or married children for mutual care and support. The PHG was subsequently increased to $30,000 in 2018 for families buying a resale flat to live with their parents or children. Singles buying a resale flat would receive half the grants. All Singaporeans are eligible for the PHG once, regardless of their household income, and whether they have enjoyed housing subsidies or owned private property.

In 2016, HDB launched the Fresh Start Housing Scheme to support second-timer families with young children living in public rental flats to own their next home. The Tenants’ Priority Scheme was also extended to give these families better chances of securing a flat.

From 2017 to 2019, HDB progressively increased and streamlined the CPF housing grants into the Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG), replacing the AHG and SHG. The EHG allowed eligible first-timer families to receive up to $80,000 and singles up to $40,000. At the same time, HDB raised the income ceiling to allow couples earning up to $14,000 and singles earning up to $7,000 to purchase HDB flats, benefiting more households.

Aerial view of Tengah’s Plantation Village and Plantation Farmway

2020s: Sustainable town planning and inclusive housing policies

In the 2020s, HDB emphasised town planning that focused on well-being, inclusivity and future housing needs. HDB unveiled the Designing for Life Roadmap in 2020, which focused on planning and designing homes that contribute to residents' physical, mental, and social well-being and encourage social connections.

In 2021, HDB launched the Community Care Apartment (CCA) pilot at Bukit Batok, introducing a new public housing typology that offers senior-friendly homes integrated with care services.

To enable families to set up homes earlier, HDB increased flat allocation quotas for first-timers in 2022, ensuring that at least 95% of 4-room and larger flats in BTO and Sales of Balance Flats (SBF) exercises were set aside for these families. In 2023, HDB increased the CPF Housing Grants for resale flats again, to provide more support for Singaporeans in owning a home. First-timer families will receive up to $80,000 (previously $50,000) if they buy 2-room to 4-room flats and $50,000 (previously $40,000) for 5-room or larger flats. HDB also implemented the First Timer (Parents & Married Couples) category in 2023, to prioritise young families seeking to buy their first home.

In 2024, HDB introduced a new flat classification framework to keep HDB flats affordable and ensure our public housing system remains fair and inclusive for current and future generations of Singaporeans. All new BTO projects launched from October 2024 will be categorised as Standard, Plus, or Prime, depending on their specific locational attributes, and will come with different levels of subsidies and restrictions. The new attribute-based classification marks a major shift away from the town-based classification, where BTO projects are categorised according to whether they are built in mature or non-mature estates.

With the new flat classification, singles can now purchase 2-room Flexi BTO flats in any location. Previously, they could only purchase 2-room Flexi BTO flats in non-mature estates.

In 2025, the Family Care Scheme (FCS) was introduced, giving both married and single children priority access when applying for BTO flats to live with or near their parents.

Harmony Village @ Bukit Batok was the first Community Care Apartment completed in 2024

Flats feature grab bars, accessible toilets, and slip-resistant flooring for safer, senior-friendly living

Furnished communal areas provide spaces for residents to relax and connect

Our History