Proximity Housing Grant

The Proximity Housing Grant (PHG) is a housing subsidy given to buyers of HDB resale flats who choose to live with or near their parents or children. It is meant to encourage families to stay close for daily support and caregiving. The grant reduces the purchase cost of the resale flat because it is credited into the buyer’s CPF account and used to pay for the flat.

It only applies to resale HDB flats and not to new Build-To-Order flats. The amount you receive depends on whether you are buying as a family or as a single, and whether you are living together with your parents or children, or just staying near them.

How Much Is The Proximity Housing Grant?

The grant amount depends on your household type and living arrangement.

For families buying a resale flat:

• Up to $30,000 if you buy to live with your parents or children in the same flat.
• Up to $20,000 if you buy to live near your parents or children within 4 km.

For eligible singles buying a resale flat:

• Up to $15,000 if you buy to live with your parents.
• Up to $10,000 if you buy to live near your parents within 4km.

The grant is credited into your CPF Ordinary Account and used to offset the purchase price. It is not paid in cash.

What Are The Requirements?

You can qualify for the Proximity Housing Grant only when you are buying an HDB resale flat, not a BTO flat or any new flat bought directly from HDB.

The grant is meant for buyers who will live with their parents or children, or live near them. If you are applying under the live near option, the resale flat must be within 4 km of your parents’ or child’s home address. Your parents or child can be living in an HDB flat or a private residential property, what matters is the verified address and the 4 km requirement, not the housing type. You can confirm whether a block qualifies by using the HDB Distance Enquiry portal, and it is best to do this early while shortlisting, before you get emotionally attached to a unit or start negotiations.

If you are applying under the live with option, the parent or child you are using to qualify must be included in the application to live in the resale flat together. If you are applying under the live near option, your parent or child must be staying at the declared address at the required stages, so you cannot rely on an address that is not genuinely occupied.

At least one of the parents or children used for eligibility must be a Singapore Citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident, and the family relationship must be legally recognised. If the parents are divorced or separated, living with or within 4 km of one parent is sufficient.

There is no income ceiling for the Proximity Housing Grant, which is why some higher income households can still qualify even when they do not qualify for other grants with income limits. The grant can be taken by both first-time and second-time buyers as long as they satisfy the conditions.

Finally, qualifying for PHG does not override the usual HDB resale rules. You still need to meet standard eligibility to buy a resale flat, including rules around property ownership, such as not owning private residential properties beyond what HDB allows at the point of purchase and under prevailing conditions.

Why This Matters For Buyers And Sellers

For HDB Buyers

The Proximity Housing Grant reduces your effective purchase cost and can lower the amount you need to borrow. This can improve affordability, reduce your monthly instalments, and make certain locations more realistic even if the asking prices are higher.

It also affects how you should shortlist flats. A slightly more expensive flat that qualifies for the grant can end up being easier to finance than a cheaper flat that does not qualify. Buyers who plan properly tend to check proximity early, then compare flats within the qualifying zone based on price, remaining lease, renovation condition, and layou

For HDB Sellers

HDB flats that are within 4 km of areas where many parents already live can attract buyers who are actively trying to qualify for the Proximity Housing Grant. These buyers may prioritise location more strongly and can be quicker to decide if proximity is confirmed.

Sellers benefit when they understand that proximity is not just a convenience factor but a financial factor for buyers. When buyers know they can qualify for the grant, the flat can feel more affordable even if the listed price is unchanged.

What This Looks Like In Real Life

A couple compares two similar resale flats. One is within 4 km of their parents, and the other is outside the 4 km range. Even if the first flat is priced higher, the couple may still choose it because the grant reduces the amount they need to fund through CPF savings and loans. The decision becomes less about the headline price and more about the total financing outcome.

In another case, a single buyer wants to live near her parents to provide frequent support. She chooses a resale flat within 4 km and checks the distance using the HDB Distance Enquiry portal before she commits. The grant reduces her CPF outlay and helps her stay within a comfortable loan amount.

Another common scenario is when parents live in a private property rather than an HDB flat. The buyer can still qualify for the grant as long as the resale flat is within 4 km of the parents’ private home address and all conditions are met.

Common Misunderstandings And Mistakes

Some buyers assume that buying in the same town or nearby estate automatically qualifies. That is not how eligibility works. The live near option depends on the 4 km rule, not town boundaries, so you should always verify using the HDB Distance Enquiry portal before you commit.

Another mistake is thinking the grant is cash that can be used for renovation. It is credited into CPF and used for the purchase. This reduces the amount you need to fund for the flat, but it does not directly increase the cash you have available for renovation.

Some buyers also incorrectly assume the parents or child must live in an HDB flat. They can live in either an HDB flat or a private property. What matters is the verified address and distance requirement.

A practical mistake is checking distance too late. Buyers may view many flats, negotiate, or even grant an option, only to discover later that the HDB flat does not meet the 4 km requirement. Distance checking should be part of the early shortlist stage.

Key Takeaways

The Proximity Housing Grant is a resale flat grant that supports families who choose to live with or within 4 km of their parents or children.

Families can receive $30,000 if living together, or $20,000 if living near. Eligible singles can receive $15,000 if living with parents, or $10,000 if living near parents.

The live near option uses the 4 km rule, and you can verify eligibility using the HDB Distance Enquiry portal before committing to a flat.

Parents or children can live in an HDB flat or a private property. The distance requirement and verified address are the key points.

The grant is credited into CPF and used for the resale purchase. It reduces the purchase funding required rather than providing cash.

Proximity Housing Grant FAQs