Buying an HDB Build-To-Order (BTO) flat is a rite of passage for many Singaporeans, with many young couples choosing this option for their first home purchase. However, similar to enrolling your first child into a desired primary school, buying a BTO flat will require an element of luck to successfully ballot for your desired BTO project.
Thankfully, there are various priority schemes that can improve your chances of balloting for your BTO flat.
First-Timer Privileges
While not a priority scheme, first-time BTO applicants (also known as first-timers in HDB lingo) do enjoy privileges. A higher proportion of flat supply is set aside during each BTO launch for first-timers. This can vary depending on whether you are also eligible for the other priority schemes. First-timers also receive an additional ballot chance (for a total of 2 ballot chances) compared to second-timers.
If first-timers are unsuccessful after 2 rounds of application for BTO projects in non-mature estates, they will also receive an additional ballot chance starting from their third application, for every application they make for BTO launches in non-mature estates.
For couples comprising a first-timer and a second-timer, HDB considers them as a first-timer family who can enjoy the same first-timer privileges. However, do note that they do not enjoy the same housing grants as a first-timer couple.
First-Timer (Parents & Married Couples)
A new category of First-Timer (Parents & Married Couples) or FT(PMC) was introduced in the October 2023 BTO sales exercise to better prioritise young families buying their first home and help them to settle down more quickly. This FT(PMC) group is a subset of the existing First-Timer category and will form about 10% of all First-Timer family applicants.
To be considered a FT(PMC), first-time applicants must:
- Be families with at least one Singapore Citizen child aged 18 and below or married couples aged 40 and below; and
- Never owned or sold a local residential property before, including an HDB flat; and
- Have not been invited to book a BTO/ SBF flat by HDB, in the past five years before their flat application.
These FT(PMC) applicants will receive an additional ballot chance for their BTO/ SBF flat applications. This will bring their total ballot chances to three, one more than other first-timer applicants and two more than non-first-timer applicants.
There is no need to request the FT(PMC) category as HDB will assess and inform you about your eligibility following your application.
Additionally, FT(PMC) will be given first priority for flats set aside under FPPS when applying for 4-room and smaller BTO flats in Standard projects, where there’s a relatively larger flat supply. FT(PMC) applicants will be shortlisted ahead of other applicants under FPPS and be more likely to be invited for flat selection.
FPPS applicants can also apply for the Married Child Priority Scheme (MCPS) or Third Child Priority Scheme (TCPS). You can only receive priority for up to 2 schemes.
Family And Parenthood Priority Scheme (FPPS)
The Family and Parenthood Priority Scheme (FPPS) was introduced to help first-timer married couples with children and young couples to get their flats more easily.
Under this scheme, up to 40% of BTO flats and 60% of SBF flats supply will be set aside for applicants.
To qualify for the FPPS, you must fulfil the following conditions:
- You and your spouse must be first-timer buyers;
- You must have a Singapore citizen offspring who is aged 18 or below; or
- You and your spouse are expecting and have a doctor’s certification of the pregnancy.
If you qualify for the abovementioned FT(PMC) category, you will also be eligible for the FPPS. This means you will get two ballot chances in total or one chance for each priority scheme.
Multi-Generation Priority Scheme (MGPS)
The Multi-Generation Priority Scheme (MGPS) is intended to encourage families to live near each other and support each other communally.
Both you and your parents are applying for new BTOs in the same estate or a joint application for two flats in a BTO project, one for yourself and one for your parents. Your parents can only apply for a 2-room or 3-room BTO flat, while you can apply for all flat sizes, up to a 5-room flat.
Up to 15% of 2-room or 3-room flats will be reserved for MGPS (with a minimum of 20 units) for the parents and a corresponding number of 2-room Flexi to 5-room flats will be reserved for MGPS for the married/ engaged couple.
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, and 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’ applications be considered jointly. Alternatively, if you decide not to book a flat under the MGPS, you can still proceed independently if you’re successful under the Public Scheme.
This priority scheme is available for second-timers.
[New] Family Care Scheme (Proximity)
The new Family Care Scheme (FCS) (Proximity) replaces the previous Married Child Priority Scheme (MCPS) and Senior Priority Scheme (SPS) (living with or near parents/married child). This scheme is meant to encourage families to live near each other for mutual care and support. It takes effect from the July 2025 sales exercise.
Under the FCS (Proximity) scheme:
- Seniors will benefit with 50% of the seniors’ quota set aside in Standard and Plus projects and 25% in Prime projects.
- First-timer families will have up to 30% of the BTO and SBF flat supply reserved for them.
- Second-timer families will be allocated up to 5% of BTO flats and up to 3% of SBF flats.
- Lastly, first-timer singles, 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.
Under this scheme, your parents will not get a new BTO flat as they will either move in with you in your new BTO flat or they remain within close proximity in their existing residence.
The FCS caters to couples who want to move near their parents’ residence (within 4 km) or want their parents to move in with them into the BTO flat. On top of the flat allocation, FCS applicants also receive an additional ballot chance.
This priority scheme is available for second-timers.
Third Child Priority Scheme (TCPS)
The Third Child Priority Scheme (TCPS) is intended to encourage the formation of larger families. This scheme helps families with more than two children get a flat more easily. Up to 5% of BTO and SBF flats are allotted to eligible applicants.
To be eligible, you and/or your spouse must be a Singapore citizen (SC). You must be a Singapore citizen if you are divorced or widowed. Your family must have at least 3 children (i.e. natural offspring from a legal marriage or legally adopted). Divorced parents must have legal custody, care and control of their children. Adoptive parents must have the Adoption Order of their children. The third child must be a Singapore citizen born on or after 1 January 1987 and the other children must be either Singapore Citizens or Singapore Permanent Residents (SPRs). You also must not have previously bought a flat under the TCPS.
After key collection, the three children listed in your TCPS application are subject to housing restrictions. They must continue to live with the parents in the new flat throughout the MOP and may not 1) Rent an HDB flat (including DBSS) or 2) buy, or be listed as occupiers, a flat from HDB or on the open market, a DBSS flat or EC unit from developer.
In terms of balloting, TCPS applicants will ballot first with other TCPS applicants. This means that if there are fewer TCPS applicants than the allocated flats, TCPS applicants would be guaranteed the chance to purchase a BTO flat. If unsuccessful during the TCPS ballot round, the applicants would be included in a second ballot round, together with other public applicants.
Assistance Scheme for Second-Timers (Divorced/Widowed Parents) (ASSIST)
The Assistance Scheme for Second-Timers (Divorced/Widowed Parents) (ASSIST) provides assistance to divorced or widowed parents with children under 19 years old.
ASSIST applicants benefit from the increased flat allocation of up to 5% of BTO 2-room Flexi and 3-room flats in Standard projects. This quota is shared with the 30% quota set aside for second-timers.
To be eligible, you must have at least 1 child (i.e. natural offspring from a legal marriage or legally adopted) aged 18 years or below. Adoptive parents must have Adoption Order of your children. You also 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)
The Tenants’ Priority Scheme (TPS) helps HDB rental flat tenants to buy their own homes.
TPS applicants benefit from the flat allocation of up to 10% of 2-room Flexi and 3-room BTO/ SBF units. This flat allocation is shared with those applying under the Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme (SERS), Relocation and Resettlement.
To be eligible, you and your family must have been living in an HDB public rental flat for at least 2 years at the time of your HFE letter application.
Senior Priority Scheme (SPS) (Near Existing Flat)
The Senior Priority Scheme (SPS) helps elderly residents who wish to buy a 2-room Flexi to age-in-place in a familiar environment or live near their parents or married child.
SPS applicants benefit from the flat allocation under the seniors’ quota with half set aside in Standard and Plus projects and a quarter in Prime projects.
To be eligible for this scheme, you must be at least 55 years old at the time of application and the lease must be able to last you, your spouse, and all buyers to the age of 95 and above.
For SPS (near existing flat), the new 2-room Flexi flat must be located within 4 km of your current HDB flat or owner-occupied private property.
Featured Image Credit: Giovanni Lidya/DollarsAndSense
Read Also: 6 Lesser-Known Facts About Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) For Singaporeans
This article was first published in November 2021 and has been updated with the latest changes in scheme
