Why This New HDB Rule Is A Big Win For Singles (After Years Of Being Overlooked)

Get The Property Insights Serious Buyers Read First: Join 50,000+ readers who rely on our weekly breakdowns of Singapore’s property market.

A seasoned content strategist with over 17 years in the real estate and financial journalism sectors, Ryan has built a reputation for transforming complex industry jargon into accessible knowledge. With a track record of writing and editing for leading financial platforms and publications, Ryan's expertise has been recognised across various media outlets. His role as a former content editor for 99.co and a co-host for CNA 938's Open House programme underscores his commitment to providing valuable insights into the property market.
Caring for singles is caring for seniors.
Which is why I like the new family care scheme, starting in mid-2025. Under new rules coming next year, singles applying for BTO flats will get priority, so long as their intended home is near their parents. This is regardless of marital status, so it also benefits singles who can’t be legally married for some reason (e.g., the LGBTQ+ community at present, or couples set apart for family reasons).
The new Family Care Scheme (FCS) also has a Joint-Balloting component, to allow parents and children to apply for two units in the same BTO project. All of these changes will supersede the existing Married Child Priority Scheme, Senior Priority Scheme, etc. Not an issue, since the new schemes serve the same purpose but with better benefits anyway.
The changes will be phased in gradually, as it also requires a shift in application processes, so we won’t know the full details until later. We still don’t know, for example, the number of flats reserved for singles balloting under this scheme. But a comment was made by the government, that this move is to better support intergenerational living.
Which is a thing that’s always bugged me: singles who can’t easily get a flat near their parents have a much harder time taking care of them. My own parents are also ageing, and as I grow older, I realise the number of trips I make to their place has more than quadrupled.
Earlier on in your adulthood, it’s little things like heading back to help with emergencies. Then it’s for more mundane things they can no longer do on their own: cleaning in certain areas, disposing of heavy old furniture. Then over time, it extends into taking them to medical appointments, getting their prescriptions filled, helping them set up on New Year or Christmas, etc.
For those who are in their forties and fifties, who still look after parents, you’ll know it can go way past this. I have friends who need to drop by multiple times a day, to help their parents dress, wash-up, etc. (Not everyone is happy to put their parents in a home, or pay for one.) And while there’s a good degree of government aid, you can’t replace the simple human touch of being there with them.
One obvious alternative is to all just live together; but not everyone (including parents themselves) are comfortable with that. Also, large residential properties are harder to afford these days.
So as Singapore “greys,” it becomes more vital than ever to help singles: if we can make it easier for them to look after their own parents, we also ease the burden on our social workers and healthcare system. And giving them a home nearby is a huge deal, more so than things like vouchers or some subsidies.
More from Stacked
Walk-Up Apartments: Treasures or Traps?
More than one Singaporean (or expatriate) has been ambushed with a walk-up apartment. You’re told a particular property is spacious,…
It also means singles get to stay in places familiar to them
There’s something evil about telling someone “Oh, if you can’t find a place in Bedok, then just go live here in Jurong West lah.”
I know all the usual arguments: Singapore is so small, it’s not like having to go to another state, being able to choose your home is so entitled, and so on and so forth. And sure, there’s definitely merit to some of those arguments.
But it’s also true that it makes Singapore a better place to live, if singles can continue hanging out where they’re used to, have the same clique of friends, and maintain some kind of ritual and familiarity. We acknowledge that it’s important for the elderly, so I don’t see why it isn’t for young singles too.
Meanwhile in other property news…
- Open-concept living and being one with nature: here’s how to do it in your home
- Look out for some interesting BTO launch sites in February 2025, including one impressive location in Queenstown.
- Four-bedder condos under $1.6 million: they still exist in the resale market.
- Nava Grove is an up and coming new launch, but how will it hold up to nearby alternatives like Pinetree Hill?
- Don’t mind living on the ground floor? Then here are some humongous options starting from as low as $1.36 million.
Weekly Sales Roundup (28 October – 03 November)
Top 5 Most Expensive New Sales (By Project)
PROJECT NAME | PRICE S$ | AREA (SQFT) | $PSF | TENURE |
32 GILSTEAD | $14,488,320 | 4219 | $3,434 | FH |
MEYER BLUE | $6,460,000 | 1905 | $3,391 | FH |
WATTEN HOUSE | $5,022,000 | 1539 | $3,263 | FH |
PINETREE HILL | $4,488,000 | 1733 | $2,590 | 99 yrs (2022) |
THE RESERVE RESIDENCES | $4,159,900 | 1625 | $2,559 | 99 yrs (2021) |
Top 5 Cheapest New Sales (By Project)
PROJECT NAME | PRICE S$ | AREA (SQFT) | $PSF | TENURE |
KASSIA | $1,023,000 | 474 | $2,160 | FH |
THE LAKEGARDEN RESIDENCES | $1,348,300 | 527 | $2,556 | 99 yrs (2023) |
HILL HOUSE | $1,372,000 | 431 | $3,187 | 999 yrs (1841) |
ONE BERNAM | $1,493,520 | 452 | $3,304 | 99 yrs (2019) |
HILLHAVEN | $1,534,941 | 678 | $2,263 | 99 yrs (2023) |
Top 5 Most Expensive Resale
PROJECT NAME | PRICE S$ | AREA (SQFT) | $PSF | TENURE |
BEVERLY HILL | $9,250,000 | 3778 | $2,448 | FH |
SILVERSEA | $5,150,000 | 2530 | $2,036 | 99 yrs (2007) |
PARK INFINIA AT WEE NAM | $5,000,000 | 2756 | $1,814 | FH |
LEONIE GARDENS | $3,900,000 | 2573 | $1,516 | 99 yrs (1990) |
MAYFAIR GARDENS | $3,610,000 | 1733 | $2,083 | 99 yrs (2018) |
Top 5 Cheapest Resale
PROJECT NAME | PRICE S$ | AREA (SQFT) | $PSF | TENURE |
SUITES @ TOPAZ | $668,000 | 474 | $1,410 | FH |
KINGSFORD WATERBAY | $710,000 | 484 | $1,466 | 99 yrs (2014) |
THE WATERLINE | $720,000 | 517 | $1,394 | FH |
CANBERRA RESIDENCES | $755,000 | 614 | $1,231 | 99 yrs (2010) |
TREASURE AT TAMPINES | $800,000 | 463 | $1,728 | 99 yrs (2018) |
Top 5 Biggest Winners
PROJECT NAME | PRICE S$ | AREA (SQFT) | $PSF | RETURNS | HOLDING PERIOD |
PARK INFINIA AT WEE NAM | $5,000,000 | 2756 | $1,814 | $2,783,200 | 19 Years |
LEONIE HILL RESIDENCES | $3,380,000 | 1389 | $2,434 | $1,880,000 | 21 Years |
THE WINDSOR | $2,450,000 | 1550 | $1,581 | $1,670,000 | 25 Years |
KING’S MANSION | $3,450,000 | 1604 | $2,151 | $1,650,000 | 14 Years |
THE BALMORAL SPRING | $2,700,000 | 1119 | $2,412 | $1,573,000 | 25 Years |
Top 5 Biggest Losers
PROJECT NAME | PRICE S$ | AREA (SQFT) | $PSF | RETURNS | HOLDING PERIOD |
LINCOLN SUITES | $1,185,000 | 484 | $2,446 | -$242,801 | 12 Years |
POLLEN & BLEU | $2,430,000 | 1206 | $2,016 | -$155,700 | 8 Years |
ONE BERNAM | $1,138,000 | 441 | $2,579 | -$95,000 | 3 Years |
MARTIN MODERN | $1,970,000 | 764 | $2,578 | -$79,000 | 4 Years |
THE WATERLINE | $720,000 | 517 | $1,394 | -$10,400 | 12 Years |
Transaction Breakdown

For more news on the Singapore property market, follow us on Stacked.
Ryan J
A seasoned content strategist with over 17 years in the real estate and financial journalism sectors, Ryan has built a reputation for transforming complex industry jargon into accessible knowledge. With a track record of writing and editing for leading financial platforms and publications, Ryan's expertise has been recognised across various media outlets. His role as a former content editor for 99.co and a co-host for CNA 938's Open House programme underscores his commitment to providing valuable insights into the property market.Read next from Singapore Property News

Singapore Property News How A Waterfront Development With 4,000 Homes Is Going To Reshape Singapore’s Property Market

Singapore Property News Where Condo Prices Rose Fastest (and Slowest) in Singapore’s Outside Central Regions

Singapore Property News A 5-Room HDB In Boon Keng Just Sold For A Record $1.5m – Here’s How Much The Owners Could Have Made

Singapore Property News Decoupling Is No Longer a Property Hack: What the Courts and IRAS Have Made Clear
Latest Posts

On The Market 5 Rare HDB Flats Above 1,700 Sq Ft You Can Buy Right Now – From $850K

Pro District 15 Resale vs New Launch Condos – Analysing Price Gaps for Larger Family Units

Property Investment Insights Are Singapore’s Suburban Condos Still Affordable? The Surprising Truth

On The Market Rare 16,000 Sq ft Freehold Plot In D15 Hits The Market For $39M

Editor's Pick I Transformed My Two-Bedroom Unit Into A Dual-Key Layout – Here’s Why I Would Not Do It Again

Pro New Launch vs Resale One and Two Bedders in D15: Here’s Where The Price Gaps Are The Biggest

Property Market Commentary Why More Families Are Choosing Two-Bedders Over Bigger Properties in 2025

Property Market Commentary What The URA Master Plan Reveals About Marina Bay’s Future (And How It Could Impact Property Values)

Editor's Pick We Toured An ‘Exclusive’ Freehold Landed Enclave In Singapore That Feels Close To Nature – And Even Has A Canal Running Through It

Editor's Pick I Left Singapore for New York and Ended Up Launching a $450M Manhattan Project. Here’s What I Learned About Buying Property Here

On The Market 5 Cheapest Freehold 3-Bedroom Condo Units In Singapore You Can Buy This Week – Including Quiet Spot in Floraville

Pro Analysing 10 Years of District 12 Boutique Condo Transactions: Insights Into What Drives Profitability

Editor's Pick Rare Detached Freehold Home On Singapore’s ‘Millionaire’s Row’ Up For Sale At $14m

Property Investment Insights Do Primary Schools Really Matter For Property Prices In Singapore? These 6 Condos Suggest Otherwise

Editor's Pick The 5 Most Common Property Questions Everyone Asks In Singapore – But No One Can Answer
