Priority Schemes

Priority schemes enhance your chances in the computer ballot for flats offered in the Build-To-Order (BTO) and Sale of Balance Flats (SBF) exercises. You may apply for 1 priority scheme, if your household meet the eligibility conditions when you apply for your HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) letter.

However, if you qualify for the Family and Parenthood Priority Scheme (FPPS), you may apply for 1 other priority scheme, such as the Family Care Scheme (FCS) (Proximity) or Third Child Priority Scheme (TCPS). 

Priority schemes do not guarantee a small queue number to book a flat.

Priority for first-timer families

First-timer families will enjoy greater priority and other privileges when they apply for a flat from HDB.

Among first-timer families, those with young children and young married couples buying their first home may qualify for priority as First-Timer (Parents & Married Couples), or FT(PMC). Read about the FT(PMC) category below to know more about the eligibility criteria and the additional support provided to help them settle down more quickly.

Couples comprising a first-timer and second-timer are treated as first-timer families and enjoy the same priority benefits and privileges.

Privileges for first-timer families

Higher proportion of flat supply

A higher proportion of flat supply is set aside for first-timer families. More information on the distribution of quotas can be found in modes of sale.

Priority schemes

You may apply for 1 priority scheme to enhance your chances in the ballot, if your household meets the eligibility conditions. Read about the various priority schemes, such as Family and Parenthood Priority Scheme (FPPS) and Family Care Scheme (FCS) (Proximity), below.

Additional ballot chance

You will get 2 ballot chances and if you qualify for FT(PMC), you will get 3 ballot chances. However, in cases where there is an overwhelming demand for flats from first-timer families, not all first-timer families will be successful in the ballot.

All first-timer families, including FT(PMC)s, will get 1 additional chance for every subsequent BTO application for a Standard flat, after they have been unsuccessful for 2 or more BTO applications (as a first-timer family) for Standard flats.

No. of Previous Unsuccessful BTO Applications for Standard Flats Typical Chances

Additional Chances

(+1 for every BTO application for Standard flats after 2 unsuccessful BTO applications for Standard flats)

 Total Chances
FT(PMC) Non-FT(PMC) FT(PMC) Non-FT(PMC)
(a) (b) (c) (a) + (c) (b) + (c)
0 or 1 3 2 0 3 2
2 3 2 1 4 3
3 3 2 2 5 4
4 3 2 3 5 4

Note: The number of ballot chances will be capped at 5 for FT(PMC)s and 4 for non-FT(PMC) first-timer families.

An application is unsuccessful if you are not invited to book a flat (you did not receive a queue number), or the flats have all been booked before your queue number is due to book a flat.

Additional chances are not given for applications for Plus and Prime BTO flats and SBF exercises as the flat supply is limited.

Application restrictions for rejecting a BTO/ SBF flat

If you had been invited to book a flat, but did not do so even though there were units available, you have rejected a chance to book a flat and incurred a non-selection count.

Nevertheless, there may be situations when flat applicants are left with limited choices when they are due to book a flat. HDB will waive the non-selection count for applicants with 10 or fewer BTO flats to choose from; or 5 or fewer SBF flats to choose from.

With 1 non-selection count, you will be deemed a second-timer for a year in the computer ballot and all your other flat applications will automatically be cancelled. Any additional ballot chances accumulated from your previous unsuccessful BTO applications for Standard flats will also be set to 0.

We strongly encourage applicants to consider carefully before they apply for a flat, and book a flat when they have a chance to do so.

First-Timer (Parents & Married Couples), or FT(PMC) category

To help young families settle down more quickly, additional support will be provided for applicants who qualify for the FT(PMC) category.

First-timer families who meet all the following eligibility criteria may qualify for the FT(PMC) category:

  • Families with at least 1 Singapore Citizen child aged 18 and below, or married couples aged 40 and below. This includes married couples who are expecting and have a doctor’s certification of the pregnancy
  • Never owned or sold a residential property before, including an HDB flat
  • Did not have a chance to book a BTO/ SBF flat in the past 5 years prior to their flat application

You do not need to request for the FT(PMC) category. HDB will assess and inform you about your eligibility after you have submitted your flat application.

Additional support for FT(PMC) applicants

Additional ballot chance

You will receive 1 additional ballot chance^ when applying for the BTO/SBF exercises, on top of the 2 ballot chances that you will receive as a First-Timer family. This means that you will receive a total of 3 ballot chances when you apply for any flat type in any estate.

^ Capped at a total of 5 ballot chances.

First priority under the Family and Parenthood Priority Scheme (FPPS)

If you apply for a 4-room or smaller BTO flat in Standard projects, you will be given first priority for the flats set aside under the Family and Parenthood Priority Scheme (FPPS).

Family and Parenthood Priority Scheme (FPPS)

This scheme helps first-timer married couples with child(ren) and young married couples to get their flat more easily.

Flat allocation

Up to 40% of the public flat supply for BTO flats and up to 60% of the public flat supply for SBF flats are set aside for the applicants.

Eligibility conditions

  • You and your spouse must be first-timer buyers
  • You have a Singapore Citizen child (i.e. natural offspring from a legal marriage or legally adopted) who is aged 18 or below. For adoptive parents, you must have the Adoption Order of your child when you apply for a flat
  • If you or your spouse is expecting, and have a doctor's certification of the pregnancy, you may also apply for the FPPS

If you qualify for the FT(PMC) category, you will be eligible for the FPPS.

Balloting process if you are eligible for FPPS and also applied for another priority scheme, e.g. TCPS

A computerised ballot is conducted for each priority scheme. For example, for a first-timer family with 3 children and is eligible for both the TCPS and FPPS, their application will first be balloted under the TCPS. If that ballot is unsuccessful, their application is balloted again under the FPPS.

Family Care Scheme (FCS) (Proximity)

This scheme helps parents and their child(ren), married or single, to live with or near each other for mutual care and support.

From the July 2025 sales exercise onwards, parents and their child(ren), married[1] or single, can enjoy priority access when applying to live with or near each other under the FCS (Proximity). This scheme replaces the previous Married Child Priority Scheme (MCPS) and the Senior Priority Scheme (SPS) (living with or near parents/ married child).

Flat allocation

  • Seniors: Within the seniors' quota, half in Standard and Plus Projects, and a quarter in Prime projects, are set aside for seniors applying under the FCS (Proximity) or SPS (near existing home).
  • First-timer families[1]: Up to 30% of the public supply for BTO and SBF flats
  • Second-timer families: Up to 5% of the public supply for BTO flats and up to 3% of the public supply for SBF flats
  • First-timer singles: Within the non-senior public supply of 2-room Flexi flats, up to 30% for BTO flats and up to 2% for SBF flats.

Eligibility conditions

  • At least 1 parent/ child, married[1] or single (including widowed or divorced parent/ child), is a Singapore Citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident. The single child must be aged 35 years old and above.
  • If you are applying to live with your parents/ child, you must include them in your HFE letter and flat applications. If you or any person listed in the application owns or has an interest in any HDB flat, you must dispose of the interest in the flat, within 6 months of completing your flat purchase.
  • If you are applying to live near your parents/ child, you must be applying for a flat in a project where the nearest block is within 4 km from an HDB flat, HDB rental flat, or a private residential property that your parents/ child lives in:
    Property types that parents/ child lives in Condition
    HDB flat

    Your parents/ child must be the owners or registered occupiers of the flat[2]. Otherwise, the HDB flat must be owner-occupied by their immediate family members[3].
    HDB rental flat Your parents/ child must be the registered tenant or occupier(s) of the flat.
    Private residential property Your parents/ child must own and live in the private residential property. Otherwise, it must be owner-occupied by their immediate family members[3].
    [1] Applicable to fiancé/ fiancée applicants.
    [2] If your parents/ child booked an HDB flat under construction or applied to buy a resale flat, the new flat or resale flat may be used for the proximity reference.
    [3] Immediate family members refer to child or adopted child, parent(s) or parent(s)-in-law, and/ or siblings.

Important note:

After collecting the keys to your new flat, the parents or child who has helped you to qualify for the FCS (Proximity) must continue to live with you or within 4 km of your new flat throughout the minimum occupation period of the new flat. In addition, they must not:

  • Submit any application or be included as occupiers in any application to buy a flat directly from the HDB, a resale flat or an Executive Condominium unit, located more than 4 km from the new flat
  • Take over the lease or tenancy of a flat (including DBSS flat) or an Executive Condominium unit located more than 4 km from the new flat.

Quota of flats given priority under FCS (Proximity)

For seniors

Within the seniors’ quota, half in Standard and Plus Projects, and a quarter in Prime projects, are set aside for seniors applying under the FCS (Proximity) or SPS (near existing home). Read modes of sale for the seniors' quota applicable for BTO and SBF exercises.

For families and first-timer singles

The FCS (Proximity) quota is first given to applicants who apply for a flat to live with their parents/ child. Any remaining quota will be given to the other FCS (Proximity) applicants who apply for a flat to live near their parents/ child. The distributions of flat quotas are given below.

BTO allocation quota for non-seniors

Household Status Standard Flats Plus Flats Prime Flats
2-room Flexi[4] 3-room and bigger 2-room Flexi[4] 3-room and bigger 2-room Flexi[4] 3-room and bigger
First-timer families 5% 30% 5% 30% 3% 20%
Second-timer families 5% 5% 5% 5% 2% 3%
First-timer singles 30% NA 30% NA 20% NA
[4] For 2-room Flexi flats, the allocation quotas will be among the non-senior public supply.

SBF allocation quota for non-seniors

Household Status Standard Flats[5] Plus Flats Prime Flats[6]
2-room Flexi[7] 3-room and bigger 2-room Flexi[7] 3-room and bigger 2-room Flexi[7] 3-room and bigger
First-timer families 30% 30% 30% 30% 20% 20%
Second-timer families 3% 3% 3% 3% 2% 2%
First-timer singles 2% NA 2% NA 1% NA
[5] The distribution for Standard flats will apply to non-Prime Location Public Housing flats launched before the October 2024 BTO exercise, when these units are re-offered for sale in SBF exercises.
[6] The distribution for Prime flats will apply to Prime Location Public Housing flats launched before the October 2024 BTO exercise, when these units are offered for sale in SBF exercises.
[7] For 2-room Flexi flats, the allocation quotas will be among the non-senior public supply.

Family Care Scheme (FCS) (Joint Balloting)

Parents and their child(ren), married or single, can make a joint application for 2 units in a BTO project that offers 2-room Flexi or 3-room flats.

From the October 2025 sales exercise onwards, parents and their child(ren), married[1] or single, can jointly apply for 2 units in the same BTO project, where there are 2-room Flexi or 3-room flats offered, under the FCS (Joint Balloting). This scheme replaces the Multi-Generation Priority Scheme (MGPS).

Flat allocation

  • Parents: Up to 15% of the 2-room Flexi and 3-room flats, subject to availability of flat type.
  • Child (married[1] or single): Up to 15% of 2-room Flexi[2] to 5-room flats, subject to availability of flat type. 

Eligibility conditions

  • Parents (including widowed or divorced parents) must submit a joint application with their child. If the child is widowed or divorced and has child(ren) under his/ her legal custody, care, and control, he/ she will also qualify for FCS (Joint Balloting). 
  • Parents may only apply for a 2-room Flexi (including short lease flats) or 3-room flat.
  • The child, if single, must be a first-timer aged 35 and above and applying for a 2-room Flexi flat. If married[1], the household must be a first- or second-timer family and applying up to a 5-room flat.
  • If more than 1 project is offered in the same town, successful parent and child applicants must book flats in the same project.

How it works

If your FCS (Joint Balloting) applications are successful, you and your parent/ child will each receive a queue position within the respective flat supplies. HDB will schedule flat booking appointments based on your respective queue positions, which may take place separately.

Applicants Scheme Number of Queue Position issued
Parents FCS (Joint Balloting) 1 queue position for parents
Child (married[1] or single) 1 queue position for child

If you do not book a flat when units are available, you will incur a non-selection count. Both the parents' and child's applications under the FCS (Joint Balloting), as well as all ongoing flat application(s), will be cancelled. Nevertheless, there may be situations when flat applicants are left with limited choices when they are due to book a flat. HDB will waive the non-selection count for applicants with 10 or fewer BTO flats to choose from when they are due to book a flat.

If your FCS (Joint Balloting) applications are unsuccessful, you and your parent/ child will be separately balloted under the Public Scheme[3].

[1] Applicable to fiancé/ fiancée applicants.
[2] The quota for 2-room Flexi flats is shared between married and single children.
[3] Public Scheme refers to applications by couples/ families and singles without any priority scheme.

Third Child Priority Scheme (TCPS)

This scheme helps families with 3 or more children.

From the June 2026 BTO exercise, the TCPS will be enhanced to support the housing needs of families with 3 or more children.

Flat allocation

Flat allocation is up to 10% of BTO flats, and up to 10% of SBF flats.

Eligibility conditions

  • You and/ or your spouse is a Singapore Citizen (SC)
  • If you are divorced or widowed, you must be an SC to qualify
  • Your family must consist of at least 3 children or be expecting a third child who are from a legal marriage or legally adopted. If the family is expecting*, you must have a doctor's certificate confirming the pregnancy. Divorced parents must have legal custody, care, and control of their children. Adoptive parents must provide the Adoption Order when applying for a flat.
  • Your third child must be born on or after 1 January 1987
  • Your youngest child or the child you are expecting must be an SC
  • Your other children must be either SCs or Singapore Permanent Residents
  • You have not previously bought a flat under the TCPS

* This includes cases where the parent(s) have 1 child and are expecting 2 or more children, or where the parent(s) do not have a child yet and are expecting 3 or more children.

Important note:

After collecting the keys to your new flat, the 3 children who have helped you to qualify for the TCPS must continue to live with you during the minimum occupation period of the new flat. In addition, they must not:

  • Apply or be included as occupiers in an application to buy a flat from HDB or on the open market, or an EC unit from property developer
  • Rent an HDB flat

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

This scheme supports divorced or widowed persons with children.

Flat allocation

Flat allocation is up to 5% of 2-room Flexi flats and up to 10% of 3-room flats in Standard projects offered in BTO exercises. This is part of the BTO flats in Standard projects set aside for second-timer families, which is up to 15% of the non-senior public supply of 2-room Flexi flats, and up to 20% of the 3-room public flat supply. 

Eligibility conditions

  • You must have at least 1 child aged 18 or below (i.e. natural offspring from a legal marriage or legally adopted). For adoptive parents, you must have the Adoption Order of your child when you apply for a flat
  • You 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 your spouse. Read Flat and Grant Eligibility to understand the eligibility conditions for buying a new flat, including non-ownership of private residential property.

Senior Priority Scheme (SPS) (near existing home)

This scheme helps seniors who wish to buy a 2-room Flexi flat to age-in-place in a familiar environment.

Flat allocation

Within the seniors' quota, half in Standard and Plus projects, and a quarter in Prime projects, are set aside for eligible seniors applying under the FCS (Proximity) and SPS (near existing home).

Read modes of sale for the seniors' quota applicable for BTO and SBF exercises.

Eligibility conditions

The 2-room Flexi flat must be within 4 km of your owner-occupied property (either HDB flat or private residential property).

Tenants’ Priority Scheme (TPS)

This scheme helps tenants of HDB rental flats to purchase their own home.

Flat allocation

The quota is up to 10% of 2-room Flexi and 3-room BTO/ SBF flats. It is shared with the applicants who apply for a flat under the Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme, Relocation, Resettlement, and SLA’s acquisition.

Eligibility conditions

You and your family must be living in an HDB public rental flat for at least 2 years at the time of the HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) letter application.