If you are a Singaporean Citizen (SC) couple or SC and Singapore Permanent Resident (SPR) couple who have booked an uncompleted Housing and Development Board (HDB) flat [i.e. Build-to-Order (BTO), Sale of Balance (SBF) or Open Booking flats] and are looking for a place to rent, pay close attention.
The Government actually provides some assistance under the Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS): a program designed to assist married couples waiting for their new HDB flats. This scheme offers temporary housing solutions through two options: renting HDB flats directly or using the newly launched PPHS (Open Market) Voucher programme to rent from private landlords in the open market.
For the PPHS (Open Market) Voucher programme, eligible couples will receive $300 per month for up to 12 months (i.e. $3,600 in total) to offset their rental:
Intrigued?
Here’s all you need to need to know!
TL;DR: Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS) (Open Market) Voucher 2024 — HDB to Offer $300 Rental Vouchers to Families Waiting for BTO Flats
PPHS Voucher Benefits: Singapore Voucher for Rental While Waiting for Your Flat
The PPHS OMV provides a more flexible alternative for couples to choose their temporary home.
Key features of the OMV include:
- A monthly subsidy of $300 for renting an HDB flat or bedroom from private landlords on the open market for up to 12 months
- Flexibility to choose any location in Singapore
- Option to rent a room, entire unit, or even stay with family members
- Ability to change accommodation during the voucher’s validity period.
This voucher scheme will run for one year, from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025. To qualify for the entire year of support, which amounts to $3,600, applicants must start their tenancies on or before 31 July 2024 and submit their application to HDB by 31 August 2024.
PPHS Rental Voucher Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the PPHS OMV, applicants must have booked an uncompleted HDB flat and fall into one of these categories:
- Married couples (with at least one first-time applicant)
- Applicants under the Fiancé/Fiancée Scheme (with at least one first-time applicant)
- Divorced or widowed parents with children.
Additionally:
- You must be a Singapore Citizen residing with another Singapore Citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident in your PPHS household.
- All members of your PPHS household must be listed in your sales application.
- Your monthly household income must not exceed $7,000 in your flat purchase application.
- Fiancé/Fiancée couples must get married within three months of the qualifying tenancy period.
- No members of your PPHS household should own any residential property except for the co-ownership of an HDB flat with their parents or siblings.
PPHV (Open Market) Voucher Validity and Usage
The PPHS Voucher is valid for up to 12 months and applies only to complete months of tenancy (e.g., 20 July 2024 to 19 August 19, 2024) that begin between 1 July 2024 and 30 June 2025. It will not be prorated for partial months.
To use the PPHS Voucher:
- Your landlord must have HDB approval to rent out their flat or room
- Your landlord cannot be a close relative of any PPHS household member, including parents, step-parents, children, step-children, siblings, spouses, grandparents, uncles/aunts, and spouses
- All members of your PPHS household must reside at the rented address throughout the tenancy
- The tenancy period must not extend more than four months beyond the Estimated or Probable Completion Date (ECD or PCD) of your new HDB flat, whichever is later
- To receive the subsidy for a particular month (e.g., for tenancy in July 2024), you must apply by the end of the following month (e.g., August 2024).
Reimbursements will be made to the applicant’s PayNow-NRIC-linked bank accounts, with each tranche including up to six months of vouchers. The voucher is not pro-rated for partial months. To qualify for the voucher for any given month, families must submit their application by the end of the following month.
Families currently renting a PPHS flat from HDB can choose to rent from the open market and apply for the PPHS Voucher, but they will only qualify after ending their PPHS flat tenancy.
Please note that the voucher cannot be used for rentals from immediate family members or close relatives. HDB will conduct various checks, including physical inspections, to verify the applicant’s tenancy before disbursing the voucher.
PPHV Voucher Application Process and Fees
Interested couples can apply for the PPHS through the HDB InfoWEB. The application period is open year-round, with a non-refundable administrative fee of $20.
Before You Apply
Ensure the following prerequisites are met:
- Your landlord has received HDB approval to rent their flat or bedroom to you and your household members
- You have updated your NRIC address with ICA
- Stamp duty has been paid for your tenancy agreement.
Step 1: Submit Your Application
Applications for the PPHS Voucher open on 1 July 2024 via HDB InfoWEB.
The table below outlines the support duration based on your tenancy start date and application submission date:
| Start of Tenancy | Submit Application By | Months of Voucher Support |
|---|---|---|
| Before 1 July 2024 | 31 August 2024 | Up to 12 months |
| 1 – 31 July 2024 | 31 August 2024 | Up to 12 months |
| 1 – 31 August 2024 | 30 September 30, 2024 | Up to 11 months |
| … | … | … |
| 1 – 30 June 2025 | 31 July 2025 | Up to 1 month |
| 1 July 2025 onwards | Not applicable | Not applicable |
If your household income was previously above but now falls within the $7,000 income ceiling, please contact HDB. If renting directly from HDB, apply after your current tenancy ends.
Step 2: Receive Conditional Outcome
Approximately six weeks after submitting your application, HDB will inform you of the conditional outcome. Note that processing times may be longer during high application periods.
Step 3: Update HDB of Changes
Please notify HDB within seven days of any changes to your household members or tenancy details. If you are moving to a new rented address, you must submit a new application for the PPHS Voucher.
Step 4: Expect HDB’s Occupancy Checks
HDB may conduct video calls or house visits to verify your occupancy at the rented address specified in your application.
Step 5: Receive PPHS Voucher
Approved applicants will receive the PPHS Voucher as a reimbursement via their PayNow NRIC-linked bank account in tranches of up to six months. The first tranche is typically disbursed about seven months after application.