Married Child Priority Scheme

Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef asked the Minister for National Development whether there is a need to review HDB's Married Child Priority Scheme in respect of the condition that the estate applied for must be within two kilometres of a parent's or married child's existing block as most mature estates may not have units available within that radius.

Mr Khaw Boon Wan: We have applied the Married Child Priority Scheme (MCPS) flexibly. For example, those applying to live in the same town or estate as their parents or married child are deemed to have qualified for the MCPS and there is no requirement for a 2-kilometre proximity.

We think that the current practice is adequate. It has allowed many to avail themselves of the MCPS. In the past three years, around 20% of BTO applications were made under the MCPS.

Besides the MCPS, first-timers who wish to live with or close to their parents in mature estates, where the supply of new flats is more limited, can consider buying a resale flat. They will be eligible for the Higher-Tier CPF Housing Grant of $40,000 on meeting the same broad criteria on proximity as the MCPS.

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