Life as a single parent must be tough.
In addition to taking care of your child and earning a living, you also have to find a home for your little one, which can be a tough task in Singapore.
Thankfully, the Housing Development Board (HDB) is here to help out.
The Problem Of Being In The ‘Singles’ Category
Currently, single unmarried parents are still under the ‘singles’ category, which means they cannot buy apartments if they are under the age of 35.
Moreover, they cannot apply for rental flats if they earn more than S$1500.
This means if they want a home, they’ll have to go for resale flats or rent from the open market.
Which, honestly, need way more than just a monthly income of $1,500.
Single unwed parents aged 35 and above can purchase a flat, but they can only purchase a new 2-room Flexi flat in a non-mature estate under the Singles Singapore Citizen or the Joint Singles Scheme (as a co-applicant).
They can also purchase resale flats if they can afford it, with no restriction on its size or location.
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Single Parents
Now, single parents, meaning those divorced or widowed, can apply for the Assistance Scheme for Second-Timers (ASSIST) by HDB if they want to purchase a flat.
Under this scheme, HDB sets aside a portion of 2 and 3-room flats in non-mature estates for divorced or widowed parents with at least one child under the age of 16, according to Mothership.
However, if you gave birth without marrying (i.e. a single unwed parent), you’re not eligible for that scheme.
Thankfully though, things are going to change.
Lower Age Limit For Single Unwed Parents
The Housing Development Board (HDB) is lowering the age limit for single unwed parents looking to buy Built-To-Order (BTO) flats to 21.
It is also expanding the size of BTO flats they are allowed to purchase, which means that single unwed parents aged 21 and above will be allowed to purchase up to a three-room flat in a non-mature estate.
Surprisingly, according to the Ministry of National Development (MND), single unwed parents above the age of 21 (but below 35) have been allowed to purchase new and resale flats in the past, based on a case-by-case basis.
They can also continue to buy resale flats, while those who are unable to afford any flats will be considered for public rental flats.
“We do want to ensure that their children have a stable home to grow up in. So, we will assist all unwed parents who approach HDB with their housing needs,” said Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong.
But why the sudden change?
Fake Eviction For Single Mother Might Have Brought Attention To Single Unwed Parents’ Problem
You may remember reading an article claiming that a single mother with six kids was kicked out of her rental flat because she couldn’t afford rent.
Soon after it was published, the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA) office swiftly came in soon after this article was published and debunked it, saying her claims were false.
While it was fake news, it might have brought people’s attention to the plight of single unwed parents:
In normal families, both husband and wife work and they typically have a higher income than single-parent families; yet single unwed parents are also expected to pay more for a home.
Now, this is just an opinion but whatever the reason, this is good news for single unwed parents all over the country.
