Rules eased for divorcees looking to buy subsidized HDB flats

This article was first published on PropertyGuru

To better support the housing needs of divorced parents and their children, the Housing and Development Board (HDB) will scrap a policy which only allows one party to buy or own a subsidized flat within three years from the date of their divorce.

This was announced by National Development Minister Lawrence Wong at the Ministry of National Development’s Committee of Supply debate yesterday and applies to flat applications received on or after March 6.

“Both parties in the divorce will be able to buy or own a subsidized flat each upon divorce, as long as they are each able to meet the eligibility conditions for flat purchase,” said HDB.

“We hope that this will help divorced persons provide a more conducive living environment for their children, and go some way to help families through an already difficult period of transition,” stated Wong in Parliament.

The government also acknowledged that there’s a “diverse range of home-buyers”, including second-timers, singles, divorcees and single unmarried parents.

Story by Romesh Navaratnarajah via PropertyGuru. Additional reporting by Coconuts Singapore.