Singles can buy 2-room flexi BTO flats in all locations, even in Kallang/Whampoa, from Oct. 2024

Singles can apply to buy two-room flexi flats in all locations, including Ang Mo Kio, Bedok, Bukit Batok, Jurong West, Kallang/Whampoa, Pasir Ris and Sengkang, in October 2024.

More than 1,900 such flats will be on offer in 10 out of the 15 BTO projects for the upcoming Build-To-Order (BTO) sales exercise, the Housing and Development Board (HDB) said in an Oct. 4 statement.

Previously, eligible single first-timers aged 35 and older could not buy new flexi flats in mature estates, such as Bedok, Kallang/Whampoa and Queenstown.

They could only buy such new flats in 12 non-mature estates, such as Choa Chu Kang, Jurong East and Woodlands.

New classification

Flats will be classified into Prime, Plus or Standard categories in the October launch.

The classification of estates as either mature or non-mature will be obsolete.

HDB said it will set aside up to 65 per cent of two-room flexi flats, which are not meant for seniors in projects across all categories, for first-timer singles.

Eligible first-timer singles will be subjected to the prevailing income ceiling of S$7,000.

The new framework will allow eligible singles to buy a two-room Prime resale flat, or a Plus or Standard unit of any size, except three-generation flats.

They can also buy two-room resale flats sold under the prime location public housing (PLH) model, which was introduced in November 2021.

Singles were not allowed to buy resale PLH flats previously.

Singles who meet the eligibility conditions can purchase a larger resale Prime or PLH flat to live with their parents or other family members.

More details will be announced later.

About Prime and Plus flats

Prime and Plus flats are located closer to amenities such as MRT stations and town centres.

They have stricter resale conditions to "moderate demand and keep these flats affordable and accessible", HDB said.

These conditions include a 10-year minimum occupation period and a subsidy clawback.

Eligible singles who are buying their first home can be given up to S$60,000 in grants under the Enhanced CPF Housing Grant.

Those buying resale flats can unlock up to S$40,000 from the CPF Housing Grant, and up to S$15,000 from the Proximity Housing Grant.

Singles scheme

In 1991, when the singles scheme was introduced, it allowed singles to buy three-room and smaller resale HDB flats in certain locations.

In 2013, the rules changed to allow new two-room flexi flats in non-mature estates to be sold directly to singles from HDB.

From mid-2025, singles applying for BTO flats will get priority access when they buy a home near or with their parents.

Top photo via Google Maps