Owning your first home in Singapore is exciting but the down payment & monthly mortgage can feel overwhelming. Many couples from Jurong East to Pasir Ris tell me they just want a place to call their own without feeling squeezed every month. The Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG) helps with this problem. After its upgrade in Decenber 2025 the support became much more substantial for young families. The EHG provides financial assistance to first-time homebuyers who meet certain income requirements. This grant can significantly reduce the amount you need to pay upfront when purchasing a flat. The money comes directly from the government and does not need to be repaid. Eligible buyers can receive up to $80,000 depending on their household income and the type of flat they purchase. The grant applies to both new and resale HDB flats which gives buyers more flexibility in choosing their home. Lower-income families receive higher grant amounts while those earning more get proportionally less support.
What Changed in the EHG?
| Category | Before Aug 2024 | After Aug 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Grant for Families | $80,000 | $120,000 |
| Maximum Grant for Singles | $40,000 | $60,000 |
| Applicable For | BTO & Resale | BTO & Resale |
What Exactly Is the EHG?
Think of the EHG as the government’s way of helping first-time buyers manage rising housing costs. It supports lower to middle income households and the logic is simple. The lower your income the higher the help you get. It replaced the older AHG & SHG back in 2019 so everything is now consolidated into one clean income-based grant. The best part is that you can use it for any flat type whether you’re eyeing a cosy 2-room Flexi or a bigger 5-room home near your parents.
Why the Decenber 2025 Boost Matters
Before the adjustment the maximum support was capped at $80000. When flat prices rose and construction costs went up the government introduced a major upgrade.
– Families can now receive up to $120,000 which is an increase of $40,000.
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– Singles can get up to $60,000 which is an increase of $20,000.
This change was not limited to future buyers only. Anyone who had not completed their resale transaction or booked their BTO by 20 Decenber 2025 could benefit from the improved amount right away. For many couples this additional support meant they could take smaller loans and enjoy better financial flexibility every month.
How the EHG Tiers Work
| Income Range | Old Grant | New Grant |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500 or below | $80,000 | $120,000 |
| $3,001–$3,500 | $60,000 | $100,000 |
| $4,001–$4,500 | $50,000 | $90,000 |
| $5,001–$5,500 | $40,000 | $75,000 |
| $7,001–$7,500 | $20,000 | $35,000 |
| $8,501–$9,000 | $5,000 | $5,000 |
BTO vs Resale: Where Does the EHG Help More?
Let’s explain this in a simple way. Think of it like having a conversation where we go through each part step by step.Let’s go through this like we’re just having a casual chat. Scenario A: Buying a BTO The EHG is typically the main grant you receive. If your household income is $4200 you qualify for an EHG of $90,000. This money gets credited directly to your CPF OA and lowers the amount you need to finance. For many couples this makes the difference between struggling with payments and managing comfortably. Scenario B: Buying a Resale Flat This is where things become more attractive. Resale grants can be combined so your total support can be substantial. Using the same income example you could get a CPF Housing Grant of $80,000 plus an EHG of $90,000 and a PHG of $30000 if you live near your parents. That adds up to $200,000 in total grant support. This explains why many couples who want to stay close to their parents choose resale flats instead. The numbers work out better for them.
Final Thoughts
The enhanced EHG provides significant help for young families looking to buy their first home in the current market. Since resale flats often cost between $500k and $600k this additional support reduces the financial burden. Families with a household income of $9,000 or less should act now. Gather your employment documents and apply for your HFE letter to take advantage of this support when planning your first home purchase.
