Successful Applicants for Additional CPF Housing Grant

20 Mr Desmond Choo asked the Minister for National Development (a) how many successful applications for the Additional CPF Housing Grant (AHG) have been granted to date; (b) whether HDB applies a discretionary approach when considering the condition of having at least one applicant working continuously for 12 months prior to the flat application in order to qualify for the AHG; and (c) whether the Ministry will consider extending the AHG to applicants who do not satisfy this condition due to valid reasons such as having just graduated from university.

Mr Lawrence Wong: AHG was introduced in 2006 and enhanced twice in 2007 and 2009 respectively to help low- to middle-income households buy their first homes. As at 30 June 2017, the AHG has helped a total of about 93,100 households.

To qualify for the grant, at least one applicant should have worked continuously for 12 months prior to the flat application and still be employed at the point of the flat application. As buying a flat is a long-term financial commitment, this condition ensures that the applicants have the ability to service the mortgage loan for the flat. Nonetheless, HDB has been exercising flexibility for deserving households who face a shortfall from the 12-month condition and will continue to do so.

MND/HDB will continue to review our housing policies to help deserving groups with their first flat purchase.