Priority Schemes

For first-timer applicants and those with more urgent housing needs, there are privileges and priority schemes in place to improve your chances of being balloted to book an HDB flat under our Build-To-Order (BTO) and Sale of Balance Flat (SBF) sales launches. You may also be given priority for Design, Build and Sell Scheme (DBSS) flats and Executive Condominiums (EC).

Watch these videos to learn more about first-timer benefits and priority schemes when buying an HDB flat.

Please note that no priority or privilege applies for queue numbers to book a flat. Those are randomly generated for flat applicants who are successful in the ballot.

Privileges for first-timers

As a first-timer applicant, your housing needs are more pressing. You will enjoy greater priority and other privileges when you apply for a new HDB flat, DBSS flat, or EC.

Couples comprising a first-timer and second-timer applicant

You will also be considered as a first-timer family, and will enjoy the same priority benefits.

Privileges

Higher proportion of flat supply

In sales launches, more flats are set aside for first-timers.

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BTO and SBF flat distribution for first-timers

From the November 2015 sales launch, at least 40% (subject to a minimum of 100 units for each BTO project) of the 2-room Flexi flats will be set aside for elderly applicants.  Any unused elderly quota will be distributed amongst the other households.

BTO distribution for non-elderly in non-mature estates
Flat type	Families (PPS)	Families (MCPS)	Other families	Singles
2-room Flexi	5%	5%	10%	50%
3-room	30%	30%	10%	N/A
4- and 5-room	30%	30%	25%	N/A

BTO distribution for non-elderly in mature estates
Flat type	Families (PPS)	Families (MCPS)	Other families
2-room Flexi to 5-room	30%	30%	35%

SBF distribution for non-elderly in non-mature estates
Flat type	Families (PPS)	Families (MCPS)	Other families	Singles
2-room Flexi	50%	30%	10%	5%
3-room and bigger	50%	30%	15%	N.A.

SBF distribution for non-elderly in mature estates
Flat type	Families (PPS)	Families (MCPS)	Other families
2-room Flexi and bigger	50%	30%	15%

BTO distribution for projects with shorter waiting time
Flat type	Families (PPS)	Families (MCPS)	Other families	Singles
4-room & bigger flats	30%	30%	35%	N/A

For more information, you can read about PPS and MCPS further down this page.

DBSS flat and EC distributions for first-timers

Mode of Sale	First-timers	Second-timers
DBSS	95%	5%
EC	70%	30%

 

More ballot chances and additional chances after unsuccessful attempts

You will get 2 ballot chances as compared to second-timer applicants, who get 1 ballot chance. However, in cases where there is an overwhelming demand for flats, we cannot guarantee that all first-timers will be successful in the ballot. Should you be unsuccessful for 2 or more BTO applications (as a first-timer family) in the non-mature estates, you will get 1 additional chance per subsequent BTO application in the non-mature estates.

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More ballot chances for first-timers

Type of Applicant	Number of Chances
		First-timer	Second-timer
	Public Applicant (PA)	2	1

Additional ballot chances after 2 unsuccessful applications

For BTO sales launches in the non-mature estates, first-timers will get additional chances if their first 2 BTO applications were unsuccessful.

No. of Previous Unsuccessful Applications (For BTO sales launches in non-mature estates)	Additional Chances (+1 per application after 2 unsuccessful applications)	Total (Additional chances + 2 first-timer chances)
0 to 1	0	2
2	1	3
3	2	4
4	3	5

An application is only considered unsuccessful if you are not invited to select a flat,  e.g. not successful in the ballot, or the flats were all taken up before your queue number was due.

Additional chances are not given for SBF and BTO sales launches in mature estates as the supply of those flats is limited.
 

Application restrictions for rejecting a BTO/ SBF flat

To manage repeated non-selection of flats by first-timers, please note that:

• Those who were invited to select a flat but did not do so, will have their previous unsuccessful applications set to 0
• Should an applicant reject 2 chances to select a flat, any and all first-timer privileges will be removed for a period of 1 year. Any flat applications made during this period will be placed together with second-timer applicants, and no additional ballot chances will be given

Parenthood Priority Scheme (PPS)

This scheme helps first-timer married couples with children get their flat more easily.

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Flat allocation

Up to 30% of BTO units and 50% of SBF units are allocated to applicants under this scheme.

Eligibility conditions

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

Balloting process if you also applied for TCPS and/ or MGPS

A computer ballot is conducted for each priority scheme. For example, a married couple with 3 children is eligible for the TCPS and PPS. Their application will first be balloted with other TCPS applicants. If that ballot is unsuccessful, their application is then balloted again under the PPS.

Multi-Generation Priority Scheme (MGPS)

This scheme helps married children and their parents get new flats in the same precinct. Parents and their married child can make a joint application for 2 flats in a BTO project where 2-room Flexi or 3-room flats are integrated in the flat mix.

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 Flat allocation

• Flat allocation (parents): Up to 15% of the 2-room Flexi or 3-room flats (minimum of 20 units)
• Flat allocation (married child’s household): Corresponding number of 2-room Flexi or larger flats 

Eligibility conditions

• Parents (including widowed or divorced parents) must submit a joint application with their married child
  • If your child is widowed and has children, he/she can also qualify for MGPS
  • If your child is divorced but has children under his/her legal custody, care and control, he/she can also qualify for MGPS
• Parents can only apply for a 2-room Flexi or 3-room flat
• The married child’s household can apply for a 2-room Flexi or larger flat

How it works

• If successfully balloted, both households (parents and married child) will have the opportunity to choose flats on the same floor or elsewhere in the BTO project, from a pool of pre-identified flats
• 3 queue numbers will be given for MGPS cases. 1 will be under MGPS, and 2 will be under the Public Scheme
• The 1 MGPS queue number lets both MGPS households choose their flats together
  • The 2 Public Scheme queue numbers will be given to each household to choose a flat as a public applicant
  • Depending on the ballot results, you can choose whether to book the flats jointly under the MGPS, or as public applicants

Married Child Priority Scheme (MCPS)

This scheme helps a married child and the parents to live with or close to each other for mutual care and support, by giving greater assurance when they apply for a new flat. Fiancé/Fiancée applicants may also apply for the MCPS.

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Flat allocation

• First-timer families: Up to 30% of BTO/ SBF units
• Second-timer families: Up to 15% of BTO units, up to 3% of SBF units

Eligibility conditions: MCPS (near parents/ married child)

• At least 1 of your parents (including widowed or divorced parents) / married child is a Singapore Citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident

  • If your child is widowed and has children, he/she can also qualify for MCPS

  • If your child is divorced but has children under his/her legal custody, care and control, he/she can also qualify for MCPS

• You must be applying for a flat in a building project where the nearest block is within 4 km from an HDB flat or a private residential property that your parents/ married child reside in

Do note that:

• If your parents/ married child own more than one property, the property which they reside in will be used for the proximity reference.
• If your parents/ married child do not own the private residential property, it must be owned by their immediate family members (defined as child or adopted child, parent(s) or parent(s)-in-law, or siblings).

Eligibility conditions: MCPS (with parents/ married child)

• At least 1 of your parents (including widowed or divorced parents) / married child is a Singapore Citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident

  • If your child is widowed and has children, he/she can also qualify for MCPS

  • If your child is divorced but has children under his/her legal custody, care and control, he/she can also qualify for MCPS

• Your parents/ married child must be included in your flat application to live together with you

Quota of flats given priority under MCPS

Household Status	BTO Sales Launch				SBF Sales Launch
	Non-mature estate*			Mature estate
	2-room	3-room	4-/ 5-room	2-room and bigger^
First-timer family	5%	30%	30%	30%	30%
Second-timer family	15%	15%	10%	3%	3%

* Within the quota, first priority is given to these cases:

• Applicants who apply for a flat to live together with their parents/ married child, i.e. applying for priority under MCPS (with parents/ married child)
• Parents who own a flat in a mature estate and are applying for a flat in a non-mature estate to live closer to their married child

^ Within the quota, first priority is given to:

• Applicants who apply for a flat to live together with their parents/ married child, i.e. applying for priority under MCPS (with parents/ married child)

First priority

The available quota is first given to MCPS applicants that are eligible for first priority. Any remaining quota then goes to the other MCPS applicants.

5-year Minimum Occupation Period (MOP): MCPS (near parents/ married child)

After collecting the keys to your new flat, your parents/ married child who helped you qualify for the MCPS must continue to live within 4 km* of your new flat.

*For flat applications received for Feb 2018 sales launches or earlier, your parents/ married child who helped you qualify for the MCPS must continue to live in the same town or within 2 km of your new flat.

5-year Minimum Occupation Period (MOP): MCPS (with parents/ married child)

After collecting the keys to your new flat, your parents/ married child who helped you to qualify for the MCPS must continue to live with you in the new flat. 

Third Child Priority Scheme (TCPS)

This scheme helps families with more than 2 children and encourages the formation of larger families. Your application will be included in the first ballot round with other TCPS applicants; if unsuccessful, your application is then included in the second ballot round, together with other public applicants.

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Flat allocation

Flat allocation is up to 5% of BTO/ SBF units.

Eligibility conditions

• You and/ or your spouse is a Singapore citizen.
• If you are divorced or widowed, you must be a Singapore citizen to qualify.
• Your family must consist of at least 3 children (i.e. natural offspring from a legal marriage or legally adopted). For divorced parents, you must have the legal custody, care and control of your children. For adoptive parents, you must have the Adoption Order of your children.
• Your third child must be a Singapore citizen born on or after 1 January 1987
• Your other children must be either Singapore citizens or Singapore permanent residents
• You have not previously bought a flat under the TCPS

5-year Minimum Occupation Period (MOP)

After collecting the keys to your new flat, the three children who helped you to qualify for the TCPS must continue to live with you in the new flat. In addition, they must not:

• Submit any application or be included as occupiers in an application to buy a flat from HDB or on the open market, a DBSS flat or an EC unit from the developer; and

• Rent an HDB flat (including DBSS flat)

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

This scheme provides assistance to divorced or widowed persons with children.

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Flat allocation

The flat allocation is up to 5% of BTO 2-room Flexi and 3-room flats in non-mature estates. This quota is shared with the 30% quota set aside for second-timers.

Eligibility conditions

• You must have at least 1 child aged 18 years 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.
• 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.

Tenants’ Priority Scheme (TPS)

This scheme helps tenants of HDB rental flats to purchase their own home. The TPS quota is also for those applying under the Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme (SERS), Relocation and Resettlement.

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Flat allocation

The flat allocation is up to 10% of 2-room Flexi and 3-room BTO/ SBF units.

Eligibility conditions

• You and your family must have been living in an HDB public rental flat for at least 2 years

Senior Priority Scheme (SPS)

This scheme helps elderly residents who wish to buy a 2-room Flexi flat to age-in-place in a familiar environment or live near their parents/ married child, by improving the elderly applicants’ chances when they ballot for a flat.

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Flat allocation

At least 40% of the 2-room Flexi flats (subject to a minimum 100 units for each BTO project) offered during our sales launches will be set aside for elderly applicants. Within this, half (20%) will be set aside for eligible elderly under the SPS.

Eligibility conditions: SPS (near existing flat)

The new 2-room Flexi flat must be located within 4 km of your current flat or owner-occupied private property

Eligibility conditions: SPS (near or with parents/ married child)

At least 1 of your parents (including widowed or divorced parents)/ married child is a Singapore Citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident

• If your child is widowed or divorced, you can also qualify for SPS
• You must be applying to live with your parents/ married child (you need to include their names in your flat application), or
• You must be applying for a flat in a building project where the nearest block is within 4 km from an HDB flat or a private residential property that your parents/ married child reside in.

Do note that:

• If your parents/ married child own more than one property, the property which they reside in will be used for the proximity reference.
• If your parents/ married child do not own the private residential property, it must be owned by their immediate family members (defined as child or adopted child, parent(s) or parent(s)-in-law, or siblings).

5-year Minimum Occupation Period (MOP): SPS (near parents/ married child)

After collecting the keys to your new flat, your parents/ married child who helped you qualify for the SPS must continue to live within 4 km* of your new flat.

*For flat applications received for Feb 2018 sales launches or earlier, your parents/ married child who helped you qualify for the SPS must continue to live in the same town or within 2 km of your new flat.