A Single Parent Guide - Ministry of Social and Family Development

page • 09
What if I cannot afford to buy a flat?
Under the Public Rental Scheme, families including widowed or divorced persons
who are at least 21 years old and with children under their legal custody, with a
monthly household income of $1,500 and below can rent a one- or two-room HDB
flat at subsidised rates. The scheme seeks to help families who cannot afford to
own HDB flats. You must be a Singapore Citizen to apply. At least one other occupier
must be either a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident.
The applicant and all the persons listed in the application must not own, or have
an estate or interest in a private property (whether residential or otherwise including
private property outside Singapore), HDB flat, HUDC flat, Executive Condominium,
house, building or land; or have disposed of such property within 30 months prior
to the date of application. The applicant and all the persons listed in the application
must also not have owned or sold two HDB flats bought directly from HDB in the
open market and must not be existing tenants/essential occupiers of HDB flats.
Families who are not eligible to rent a flat from HDB can consider renting one from
the open market.
What will happen to the flat if my spouse dies?
If there is a change in the household structure due to a death, the remaining family
members will be allowed to keep the flat without having to maintain a family nucleus
as defined by HDB. But you must still meet some basic requirements.
Call the respective branch offices managing your estate if you have any questions.
(To contact the HDB, turn to page 29.)