.svg)
Priority Schemes for HDB BTO Flat Buyers
Learn more about HDB’s priority schemes and how you can improve your chances of getting an HDB flat.
Last updated 11 March 2026
On this page
If you are applying for a new flat under the Build-To-Order (BTO) or Sale of Balance Flats (SBF) exercises, you may be eligible for a priority scheme that gives you a better chance in the ballot to book an HDB flat.
How priority schemes help your flat application
When BTO flats are launched or offered during sales exercises, demand can be higher for projects with popular locations and flat types. Priority schemes help support households with specific needs by improving their chances in the ballot. Knowing which schemes you may qualify for allows you to make more informed decisions when planning your flat purchase.
💡Other than priority schemes, first-timer families enjoy additional advantages when applying for a flat from HDB:
A higher proportion of flats is set aside for first-timer families
If unsuccessful in 2 or more earlier BTO applications for Standard flats, first-timer families receive 1 additional ballot chance for each subsequent BTO application for Standard flats (capped at a total of 5 ballot chances)
Eligible first-timer families may also qualify for the First-Timer (Parents & Married Couples) category. Learn more about the FT(PMC) category in our HDB guide for young couples.
Family and Parenthood Priority Scheme (FPPS)
Who is this scheme for?
For first-timer married couples with child(ren) and young married couples to get their flat more easily
Am I eligible?
You may be eligible if the following apply to your household:
You and your spouse are first-time buyers
You have a Singapore Citizen child who is aged 18 or below (if you or your spouse is expecting, and have a doctor's certification of the pregnancy, you may also apply for the FPPS)
How this scheme may help you
Up to 40% of the BTO flat supply and up to 60% of the SBF flat supply are set aside for you
If you qualify for the FT(PMC) category and are applying for a 4-room or smaller BTO flat in Standard projects, you will be given first priority for flats set aside under the FPPS.
Family Care Scheme (FCS)
Who is this scheme for?
Family Care Scheme (FCS) (Proximity): For parents and their child(ren), married or single, to live with or near each other for mutual care and support
Family Care Scheme (FCS) (Joint Balloting): For parents and their child(ren), married or single, who wish to make a joint application for 2 units in a BTO project that offers 2-room Flexi or 3-room flats
Note: FCS (Proximity) replaces the previous Married Child Priority Scheme (MCPS) and the Senior Priority Scheme (SPS) (living with or near parents/ married child), while FCS (Joint Balloting) replaces the previous Multi-Generation Priority Scheme (MGPS).
Am I eligible?
You may be eligible if the following apply to you:
(FCS) (Proximity)
Citizenship: At least 1 parent/ child is a Singapore Citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident
Marital status: At least 1 parent/ child is married (including fiancé/ fiancée applicants), or single (including widowed or divorced parent/ child). The single child must be aged 35 and above.
Living with parent/ child: Include them in your HFE letter and flat applications.
Living near parent/ child: The flat you apply for must be within 4 km of the home where your parent/ child owns and lives in
After collecting the keys to your new flat, the parents or child who has helped you to qualify for the FCS (Proximity) must continue to live with you or within 4 km of your new flat throughout the minimum occupation period of the new flat.
(FCS) (Joint Balloting)
Key conditions:
Parents (including widowed or divorced parents) must apply together with their child under a joint application.
If the child is widowed or divorced and has children under their legal custody, care, and control, they can also apply under the FCS (Joint Balloting) scheme.
If there is more than 1 project in the same town, both the parent and child must book flats in the same project.
Eligibility conditions for parent:
Parents can apply for a 2-room Flexi flat (including short-lease flats) or a 3-room flat only.
Eligibility conditions for child:
Single: Must be first-timer aged 35 and above, and apply for a 2-room Flexi Flat
Married (including fiancé/ fiancée applicants): Must be first- or second-timer family, and may apply for up to a 5-room flat
How this scheme may help you
(FCS) (Proximity)
First-timer families: Up to 30% of the public supply for BTO and SBF flats are set aside for you
Seniors: At least 40% of the public supply of 2-room Flexi flats across Standard, Plus and Prime projects are set aside for seniors. Within the seniors' quota, half the flats in Standard and Plus projects, and a quarter in Prime projects, are set aside for eligible seniors applying under the FCS (Proximity) and SPS (near existing home).
First-timer singles: Within the non-senior public supply of 2-room Flexi flats, up to 30% for BTO flats and up to 2% for SBF flats are set aside for you
(FCS) (Joint Balloting)
Up to 15% of the 2-room Flexi and 3-room flats, subject to availability of flat type, are set aside for parents
Up to 15% of the 2-room Flexi and 3-room flats, subject to availability of flat type, are set aside for the child
If successful, you and your parent/ child will each receive a queue position within the respective flat supplies. HDB will schedule flat booking appointments based on your respective queue positions, which may take place separately.
💡Check out our HDB guide for singles to see what other support you can receive, to help you get your first home.
Third Child Priority Scheme (TCPS)
Who is this scheme for?
For families with 3 or more children
Am I eligible?
You may be eligible if the following apply to your household:
You and/ or your spouse are Singapore Citizens (if divorced or widowed, you must be a Singapore Citizen)
Your family must consist of at least 3 children or be expecting a third child who are from a legal marriage or legally adopted
Your third child must be born on or after 1 January 1987
Your youngest child or the child you are expecting must be a Singapore Citizen
Your other children must be either Singapore Citizens or Singapore Permanent Residents
You have not previously bought a flat under the TCPS
After collecting the keys to your new flat, the children who helped you qualify for the TCPS must continue to live with you during the minimum occupation period of your new flat – they must not apply to buy a flat from HDB or on the open market, or rent an HDB flat.
How this scheme may help you
Up to 10% of the BTO flat supply and up to 10% of the SBF flat supply are set aside for you
💡If you’re a first-timer family with 3 children and eligible for both the TCPS and FPPS, your application will first be balloted under the TCPS. If that ballot is unsuccessful, your application is balloted again under the FPPS.
Assistance Scheme for Second-Timers (Divorced/ Widowed Parents) (ASSIST)
Who is this scheme for?
For divorced or widowed persons with children
Am I eligible?
You may be eligible if the following apply to your household:
You have at least 1 child aged 18 or below
You must not have owned or acquired any interest in an HDB flat or private residential property after your divorce, separation, or the passing of your spouse, except for your matrimonial flat or property
How this scheme may help you
Up to 5% of 2-room Flexi flats and up to 10% of 3-room flats in Standard projects offered in BTO exercises are set aside for you
Senior Priority Scheme (SPS) (near existing home)
Who is this scheme for?
For seniors who wish to buy a new 2-room Flexi flat to age-in-place within a familiar environment
Am I eligible?
The 2-room Flexi flat must be within 4 km of your owner-occupied property (either HDB flat or private residential property)
How this scheme may help you
Within the seniors' quota, half the flats in Standard and Plus projects, and a quarter in Prime projects, are set aside for eligible seniors applying under the FCS (Proximity) and SPS (near existing home)
💡Check out our HDB guide for seniors to see what other housing support is available to you.
Tenants’ Priority Scheme (TPS)
Who is this scheme for?
For tenants of HDB rental flats who are ready to purchase their own home
Am I eligible?
You and your family must be living in an HDB public rental flat for at least 2 years at the time of the HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) letter application
How this scheme may help you
Up to 10% of 2-room Flexi and 3-room BTO/ SBF flats are set aside for you