More households can now buy subsidised housing. At the National Day Rally on 23 August, the Prime Minister announced higher income ceilings across the board — and they take effect the very next day, 24 August 2026.
The numbers: families buying a new HDB flat, taking an HDB loan, or buying a resale flat with the CPF Housing Grant can now earn up to $16,000 a month, up from $14,000. Singles aged 35 and above go from $7,000 to $8,000. And for new Executive Condominiums bought from developers, the ceiling rises from $16,000 to $18,000.
What this means in practice: if your household earns between $14,000 and $16,000, BTO flats and the CPF Housing Grant just came into reach. Singles earning $7,000–$8,000 are in the same position. And couples in the $16,000–$18,000 band who were priced out of both HDB and ECs now have the EC door open. The Enhanced CPF Housing Grant's own ceilings ($9,000 for families, $4,500 for singles) are unchanged.
The mechanics run through your HFE letter. Apply for an HDB Flat Eligibility letter on or after 24 August and you're assessed under the new ceilings. Already holding a valid HFE letter and eligible? Nothing to do. Holding one that marked you ineligible under the old ceiling — or still waiting on an application submitted before 24 August? Cancel it and reapply, so you're assessed under the new numbers. Note that a fresh application also resets the income assessment period to your recent months.
One more date to plan around: the BTO exercise originally slated for October moves to November, precisely so newly-eligible buyers have time to sort out their HFE letters. Around 7,960 flats are expected across Bedok, Geylang, Sembawang, Tengah, Toa Payoh and Yishun.
If the new ceilings just put you in the game, two checks are worth doing before the November launch: run your grants position (EHG plus the CPF Housing Grant now reachable at your income), and pressure-test what a flat actually costs you monthly at today's rates. Roov's HDB Grants Eligibility and Affordability tools do both in minutes.