Quick answer: CPF Housing Grants are subsidies (not loans) that offset an HDB flat purchase. The Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG) gives up to S$120,000 for families or S$60,000 for singles, tiered by income. Resale buyers can also stack the Family Grant (up to S$80,000) and Proximity Housing Grant (up to S$30,000) — a combined maximum of S$230,000 for qualifying couples.
Walking into the HDB Hub or logging onto the portal can feel like you missed the memo. The grant names—EHG, Family Grant, PHG—sound cheem, but they’re just different doorways to the same help. Think of this as a friend drawing on a napkin: we’ll go one acronym at a time, exactly what you’ll see on the form, so you walk in knowing the script.
Wondering how much of your HDB purchase CPF grants can actually cover? This guide breaks down each grant, current amounts, and how they stack — for HDB loan eligibility itself (income ceilings, MSR, wait-out periods), see our HDB loan eligibility guide.
How much can I actually get?
The total grant you receive depends on your household income, the flat type, and whether you are buying a BTO or resale unit. The amounts are not a single figure — they come from several separate grants that can be combined under HDB’s rules. A first-timer family on a resale purchase can stack multiple grants together, while a BTO buyer will typically rely on one main grant. The table below sets out the maximum for each grant, so you can see exactly what applies to your situation.
What makes a real difference is that these grants are subsidies, not loans. Every dollar credited to your CPF Ordinary Account directly reduces the amount you need to borrow, and none of it ever needs to be repaid. For resale buyers especially, the combination of grants can cut deeply into the purchase price, freeing up your cash and CPF savings for other priorities. The exact sum you qualify for will emerge from the tiered structure tied to your income.
| Grant | Max amount | Applies to | Income cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG) — families | S$120,000 | BTO or resale | S$9,000/month household |
| Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG) — singles | S$60,000 | BTO or resale | Lower single-buyer tier |
| Family Grant | S$80,000 (4-room or smaller) / S$50,000 (5-room or larger) | Resale only | S$14,000 (S$21,000 extended families) |
| CPF Housing Grant for Singles (Singles Grant) | S$40,000 (2- to 4-room) / S$25,000 (5-room) | Resale only | S$7,000/month |
| Proximity Housing Grant (PHG) — families | S$30,000 (living together) / S$20,000 (within 4km) | Resale only | No income cap |
| Proximity Housing Grant (PHG) — singles | S$15,000 (living together) / S$10,000 (within 4km) | Resale only | No income cap |
Which grants can I stack together?
The Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG) is the foundation — it is available for both BTO and resale flats. For resale buyers, the Family Grant and the Proximity Housing Grant (PHG) are additional layers that can sit on top of the EHG. Singles buying a resale flat have their own versions: a Singles EHG, the Singles Grant, and a reduced PHG, all of which can be combined. No single grant covers every situation, so understanding which ones you are eligible for is key.
A common source of confusion is whether the Family Grant still exists alongside the EHG. It does — the Family Grant was not folded into the EHG and remains a separate, active scheme. This means a qualifying first-timer couple on a resale flat can claim both the EHG and the Family Grant, and add the PHG if they are living near or with parents. The table shows each grant’s ceiling, so you can see how they accumulate.
- At least one applicant must be a Singapore Citizen.
- Generally restricted to first-timer applicants — no prior CPF housing grants received and no private property disposed of within the relevant wait-out period.
- Household income caps vary by grant (see table above) — EHG has its own, lower tiered cap; the Family Grant follows the general S$14,000/S$21,000 HDB household income ceilings.
- The flat’s remaining lease must cover the youngest applicant to age 95 for full grant eligibility.
- Singles must generally be aged 35 or above and apply under the Single Singapore Citizen or Joint Singles scheme to access singles-specific grants.
What conditions do I need to meet?
At least one applicant must be a Singapore Citizen. Grants are generally intended for first-timers — meaning you have not previously received a CPF housing grant and have not disposed of private property within the relevant wait-out period. The income ceilings vary by grant: the EHG uses its own lower tiered cap, while the Family Grant follows HDB’s broader household income ceilings (with an uplift for extended families). The PHG has no income cap at all, making it accessible to a wider range of buyers.
The flat’s remaining lease must be long enough to last the youngest applicant into their later years, as determined by HDB’s lease coverage rule. Singles applying under the singles-specific grants also need to meet age criteria set by HDB. Before you commit to a flat, it is wise to check your eligibility through HDB’s e-Service, which will confirm which grants you can tap and what tier applies to your household income.
What happens when I apply?
You submit your application through HDB’s portal during your flat booking (for BTO) or as part of the resale application process. Log in with SingPass and have your income documents and family details ready. HDB typically processes the application within a few weeks to a couple of months, though timings can vary depending on the case. The portal will guide you step by step, so you are not left guessing.
Once approved, the grant amount is credited directly into your CPF Ordinary Account — it is never paid out as cash. The funds are then used to offset the purchase price of your flat, which lowers the mortgage you need. To plan your budget accurately, use HDB’s e-Service beforehand to confirm the exact grant amount you can expect, since the sum is tiered according to your household income and the flat type.
Why can’t I use certain grants for a BTO flat?
The Family Grant and the Proximity Housing Grant are designed exclusively for the resale market. The idea is to give buyers more flexibility when purchasing an existing flat, especially when they want to live near their parents or extended family. The EHG, on the other hand, works for both BTO and resale, so it is the universal grant for first-timers regardless of sales mode.
Because private property purchases do not qualify for any CPF housing grant, the grants remain tied strictly to HDB flats. If you eventually move to a private property, you still keep the grant benefit — it does not need to be returned — but you cannot claim a new grant for that subsequent purchase. The table below makes clear which grant applies to which type of flat, so you can see at a glance what is available for BTO, resale, or both.
What are the most common misunderstandings about these grants?
The biggest misconception is that the Family Grant was absorbed into the EHG. It was not. Both grants remain active and can be stacked together. Another misunderstanding is that the grants are some form of loan — they are not. A CPF housing grant is a subsidy that permanently reduces your housing cost, and you never have to repay it.
It is also easy to assume that all grants work for all flat types, but the Family Grant and PHG are resale-specific. BTO buyers cannot claim them. By knowing which grant belongs where, you can focus your time on the schemes that actually apply to your purchase, rather than chasing ones you are not eligible for. The figures in the table show exactly what you can aim for.
FAQs about CPF Housing Grants
What is the maximum CPF Housing Grant I can get?
For a qualifying first-timer family buying a resale flat, stacking EHG, the Family Grant, and PHG can reach up to S$230,000. A first-timer single buying resale can stack EHG (Singles) up to S$60,000 with the Singles Grant (up to S$40,000) and PHG (Singles) up to S$15,000 — up to S$115,000 in total.
Is the Family Grant the same as EHG?
No — they’re separate, active grants that can be stacked together. The Family Grant offers up to S$80,000 (4-room or smaller resale flat) or S$50,000 (5-room or larger), on top of whatever EHG amount you qualify for.
Can I use CPF Housing Grants for a private property?
No — CPF Housing Grants are exclusive to HDB flat purchases. Private property buyers can still use CPF savings for their purchase, but without any grant top-up.
Can I get the Family Grant and Proximity Housing Grant for a BTO flat?
No — both the Family Grant and PHG apply to resale flat purchases only. EHG is the one grant available for both BTO and resale.
Last updated July 2026. Grant amounts and eligibility figures checked against current HDB/CPF Board guidance sources on 22 July 2026 — confirm your specific eligibility and amount via HDB’s e-Service, as individual circumstances vary.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not financial advice. Compiled from publicly available sources; while we aim for accuracy, we do not guarantee completeness. Confirm all current grant amounts and eligibility directly with HDB or CPF Board before making decisions. Let us know if you spot anything that needs correcting.
