Singaporeans are no strangers to a ballot. We (or more accurately, our parents) ballot for our primary school placements, and we grow up to ballot for our Build-To-Order (BTO) flats as adults. Buying a BTO is a rite of passage for most Singaporean couples, yet it can also be a process that takes multiple tries before you successfully ballot for one.
If you are already planning to live with or near your or your spouse’s parents, you can use the Multi-Generation Priority Scheme (MGPS) and the Family Care Scheme (FCS) to increase your BTO ballot chances. For those who aren’t, perhaps you may wish to consider doing after reading this article.
Read Also: How Much Can You Save By Opting For A BTO Flat Over A Resale Flat
What Is The Family Care Scheme (FCS) (Proximity) and Multi-Generation Priority Scheme (MGPS)?
The FCS (Proximity) and Multi-Generation Priority Scheme (MGPS) are both intended to encourage families to live near each other and support each other communally. Unlike most HDB schemes, both these two schemes are also available to second-time buyers.
Family Care Scheme (FCS) (Proximity)
The new Family Care Scheme (FCS) (Proximity) replaces the former Married Child Priority Scheme (MCPS). It gives priority to parents and their children (whether married or single) to buy a new flat to either stay together or live within 4km of each other.
Under the FCS (Proximity) scheme:
- Seniors who tap into the scheme will benefit with 50% of the seniors’ quota set aside in Standard and Plus projects and 25% in Prime projects.
- First-timer families who apply under the FCS (Proximity) will have up to 30% of the BTO and SBF flat supply reserved for them.
- On the other hand, second-timer families will be allocated up to 5% of BTO flats and up to 3% of SBF flats.
- Lastly, first-timer singles who apply under the scheme will have up to 30% of BTO flats and up to 2% of SBF flats reserved for them within the non-senior 2-room flat supply.
In addition to flat allocation, FCS (Proximity) applicants receive an extra ballot chance. However, if the application is successful, the qualifying parent or child must continue to live together or within 4km of the new flat throughout its Minimum Occupation Period (MOP).
Multi-Generation Priority Scheme (MGPS)
Under the Multi-Generation Priority Scheme (MGPS), both you and your parents are applying for new BTOs in the same estate, one for yourself and one for your parents. Your parents can apply for 2-room or 3-room BTO flat while you can apply for all flat sizes, 2-room and above.
For balloting purposes, you will be given 3 chances in total, one under MGPS (which covers both yours and your parents’), one for your own application, one for your parents’ application. Thus, it is possible to end up in a scenario where your parents successfully balloted and you didn’t or vice versa. Only if you are successful under the MGPS ballot would both your and your parents’ application be considered jointly.
Up to 15% of 2-room or 3-room flats is reserved for MGPS (with a minimum of 20 units) for the parents and a corresponding number of units will be reserved for MGPS for the married/ engaged couple. The percentage allocation for units reserved for MGPS (couples) will be lower, for example, 20 units of 2-room and 3-room flats are reserved for MGPS (parents) and thus, 20 units of all flat types (out of the total of 1000 units in the BTO launch) are reserved for MGPS (couples). This would be a flat allocation of 2% for MGPS (couples).
This scheme will be subsumed under the new Family Care Scheme (FCS) (Joint Balloting), which is planned for rollout in the October 2025 sales exercises onwards.
You Can Stack The Ballot Chances With Family And Parenthood Priority Scheme (FPPS)
If you are married with a child or expecting one, and are a first-time buyer, you may qualify for the Family And Parenthood Priority Scheme (FPPS).
Under this scheme, you will receive first priority when applying for a 4-room or smaller BTO flat in Standard projects, with up to 40% of BTO units and up to 60% of SBF units reserved for FPPS applicants.
FPPS is the only priority scheme that can be combined with other priority schemes, such as the First-timer (Parents & Married Scheme). This means if your ballot under the FT(PMC) is unsuccessful, your application will be balloted again under the FPPS.
Read Also: Frustrated With Waiting For Your BTO To Be Ready? Here’s How Provisional Housing Scheme Can Help You
You Can Also Stack The Ballot Chances With First Timer Privileges
If you are first-time buyer, you automatically get 2 ballot chances, one more than a second-timer. Additionally, you get additional ballot chances if you have been unsuccessful twice or more when applying to BTO Standard flats (i.e. you didn’t win the ballot or all the flats were all taken up before your queue number was due).
As a first-timer applying under the First-Timer (Parents & Married Child) [FT(PMC)] Scheme, you can receive up to 5 ballot chances for your first BTO application. In comparison, non-FT(PMC) first-timer families can receive a maximum of 4 ballot chances.
Source: HDB
Additional ballot chances are not given to applications for Plus and Prime BTO and SBF flats.
Note: As long as one spouse is a first-time buyer, you are considered a first-timer family.
Read Also: Complete Guide To The New Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG) For First-Time BTO & Resale Flat Buyers
Your Chances Are Higher If You Live With Your Parents In The Same Household
Due to the way the priority schemes are structured and the consequent flat allocations, living with your parents in the same household or living near your parents’ existing residence under the FCS (Proximity) gives you a better chance of a successful BTO application. Not only do you have more ballot chances, you are also more likely to get a better flat allocation.
Alternatively, if you are planning to live with your parent, you can consider applying for 3Gen BTO flats (if available) which tends to be less subscribed than other flat types, increasing your odds for a successful application.
Regardless of whether you are applying under the FCS or MGPS, living with or near your parents means that you are eligible for the Proximity Housing Grant.
All in all, there are many incentives for couples to consider living with or near their parents.
Read Also: Guide To Understanding The HDB Proximity Housing Grant (PHG)
