Starting 01 July 2024, eligible families in Singapore awaiting their Build-To-Order (BTO) flats can apply for rental vouchers worth $300 a month.
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This initiative aims to provide some financial relief to those who are renting HDB flats or rooms on the open market while waiting for their BTO units to be completed.
Eligibility and Application
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To qualify for these rental vouchers, families must have a monthly household income of $7,000 or below. Applications must be submitted to HDB by August 31, 2024, with tenancies starting on or before July 31, 2024, to receive the full year of support, totaling $3,600. The initiative, part of the Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS), runs from July 2024 to June 2025.
The vouchers will be reimbursed based on the number of months the tenancy falls within the specified period, with payments made to applicants' PayNow-NRIC-linked bank accounts. The first reimbursement, typically covering up to six months, is expected about seven months after the application date. Vouchers will not be pro-rated for partial months, and applications for a given month must be submitted by the end of the following month.
Conditions and Requirements
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To qualify, applicants must ensure their landlord has registered the tenancy with HDB and updated their NRIC address. Couples who are engaged must submit their marriage certificate within the first three months of their tenancy.
Those currently renting under the PPHS can also opt to rent on the open market and apply for the voucher, but only after ending their PPHS flat tenancy. Families cannot receive vouchers if they rent from immediate family or close relatives.
Increased Support and Measures
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HDB is doubling the supply of interim rental flats under the PPHS from 2,000 to 4,000 units by 2025 to support more families. This expansion follows a significant decrease in the number of applications per available flat, from over 20 applicants in 2021 to just 2.3 in February 2024, thanks to increased temporary housing supply.
HDB is also working to reduce BTO flat waiting times, with 75% of new flats launched in 2024 expected to have waiting times of four years or less.
Vigilance Against Abuse
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HDB will perform various checks on tenancies, including potential physical inspections, before disbursing vouchers. Suspected abuse cases may be referred to the police, and voucher disbursement may be withheld.
This initiative is part of broader efforts by HDB to support families during their interim housing period, ensuring they have access to affordable rental options while awaiting their permanent homes.
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