First-timers and those with pressing housing needs enjoy priority schemes that can improve your chances of getting balloted to book an HDB flat under the Build-to-Order (BTO) and Sales of Balance (SBF) exercises. Learn more about HDB’s priority schemes here!
Parents
Family and Parenthood Priority Scheme (FPPS)
First-timer married couples with at least one Singapore citizen child aged 18 and below, or who are expecting a child, will get priority under the Family and Parenthood Priority Scheme (FPPS). This scheme also covers First-Timer (Parents & Married Couples), or FT(PMC), applicants. Under the scheme, up to 40% of BTO flat supply and up to 60% of SBF flat supply will be set aside for eligible applicants.
If you are an FT(PMC) applicant, you will also get first priority for the flats set aside under the FPPS, if you apply for a 4-room or smaller BTO flat in Standard projects. This means that you will be shortlisted ahead of all other FPPS-eligible applicants and stand a higher chance of being invited to select a flat.
Third Child Priority Scheme (TCPS)
Even better news for those with more kids – families with 3 or more children will enjoy priority under the FPPS as well as the Third Child Priority Scheme (TCPS). Up to 5% of BTO/ SBF units are allocated under the TCPS.
Your application will first be balloted with other TCPS applicants. If that ballot is unsuccessful, your application will be balloted again under the FPPS.
Assistance Scheme for Second-Timers (Divorced/ Widowed Parents) (ASSIST)
Divorced or widowed parents with children aged 18 years old and below benefit from dedicated allocations: up to 5% of 2-room Flexi flats and up to 10% of 3-room flats in Standard projects offered in BTO exercises will be set aside under the Assistance Scheme for Second-Timers (ASSIST). This quota forms part of the quota set aside for second-timer applicants.
Singles and families wanting to live near or with their parents
Family Care Scheme (FCS) (Proximity)
Keen to move out to your own place, but want to keep your family close? The Family Care Scheme (FCS) (Proximity) improves chances of success for new flat buyers who wish to live with or near their parents for mutual care and support.
You qualify for the FCS if your new flat is within a 4km radius of your parents’ HDB flat or private property. Couples, singles, or parents looking to live with or near their children are all eligible to apply for the FCS!
Learn more about the allocation of flats under FCS (Proximity) on HDB InfoWEB.
Family Care Scheme (FCS) (Joint Balloting)
For those looking to live together with your parents, consider applying under the Family Care Scheme (FCS) (Joint Balloting)! This scheme allows you to submit a joint application for 2 flats in a single BTO project, enhancing the ballot chances of both parties living within the same precinct. Note that parents applying for a flat under FCS (Joint Balloting) would only be eligible to apply for a 2-room Flexi or 3-room flat.
Senior Priority Scheme (SPS) (near existing home)
The Senior Priority Scheme (SPS) (near existing home) helps seniors looking to buy a new 2-room Flexi flat to age-in-place within a familiar environment. The 2-room Flexi flat you are applying for must be within 4km of your current flat or private property.
Within the quota of flats set aside for seniors, half of the flat supply in Standard and Plus projects and a quarter in Prime projects will be set aside for eligible seniors applying under the SPS (near existing home) and FCS (Proximity).
Tenants of HDB rental flats
Tenants’ Priority Scheme (TPS)
HDB rental tenants can also look forward to owning a home. If you and your family have been living in an HDB public rental flat for at least 2 years, and are looking to buy a flat of your own, you can apply for 2-room Flexi and 3-room BTO/ SBF flats set aside under the Tenants’ Priority Scheme.
Visit the HDB InfoWEB for more details to improve your chances at the ballot.
The information in this article was updated on 23 Jan 2026.
