Government agencies communicate via .gov.sg websites (e.g. go.gov.sg/open). Trusted websites
Look for a lock () or https:// as an added precaution. Share sensitive information only on official secure websites.
Supporting the Housing Needs of Low-Income Families – Enhancements to Fresh Start Housing Scheme
At MND’s Committee of Supply debate 2022, Minister for National Development, Mr Desmond Lee, announced enhancements to the Fresh Start Housing Scheme. These measures are part of our efforts to support low-income families in their journey towards home ownership.
Enhancements to Fresh Start Housing Scheme
2 The Fresh Start Housing Scheme was introduced in 2016 to help rental tenants who are second-timers[1] with children and who are currently staying in public rental flats, to buy a home of their own again. Compared to first-timers who receive substantial housing subsidies to buy their first flat, second-timer families receive less subsidies. The Fresh Start Housing Scheme takes a targeted approach to help these families buy a 2-room Flexi flat to start afresh in a new home. It integrates financial assistance, in the form of the Fresh Start Housing Grant, with personal responsibility and social support.
3 The Fresh Start Housing Scheme was enhanced in 2018 and 2019 to benefit more families, while also providing stronger support to help these families stay on track in their home ownership journey (refer to Annex A for more information on the Fresh Start Housing Scheme).
4 To help more public rental tenants who are second-timers with children, HDB will further enhance the Fresh Start scheme through the following measures:
These shorter-lease 3-room flats will be more affordable than those on 99-year leases, while ensuring families still have a home for life. Families will also attend annual social assessments by HDB and receive social support from an appointed social service agency. This is to ensure that they stay on track in their home ownership journey. Flats sold under the Fresh Start scheme will continue to have a 20-year Minimum Occupation Period (MOP), to ensure a stable home for the families and children. HDB is working on the implementation for the offer of 3-room flats under Fresh Start, and will announce the details when ready.
5 Together, these measures will provide significant help for these families to own a home again.
[1] Second-timer families refer to households who have previously enjoyed one housing subsidy.