Criteria for Single Unwed Parents to Be Allowed to Buy or Rent Flats from HDB

32 Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for National Development (a) what are the criteria that single unwed parents under the age of 35 need to fulfill before their applications or appeals are approved to (i) purchase a flat from HDB and (ii) rent a flat from HDB; (b) what are the objective criteria used to determine if such unwed parents are able to continue living with their parents; and (c) what are the criteria used to determine if such unwed parents are able to afford other housing options.

Mr Lawrence Wong: Unmarried parents aged at least 21 and above can apply to buy or rent a flat from the Housing and Development Board (HDB) with their parents. They are encouraged to live with their parents for mutual care and support to raise the child. Nonetheless, for those without family support, HDB exercises flexibility on a needs-basis to allow them to buy or rent a flat from HDB. They have to meet the eligibility criteria set for singles, such as the income ceiling of $6,000 for buying a flat.

To assess their housing options, HDB will look at their housing budget based on their income and Central Provident Fund savings, taking into account estimated living expenses.