Proximity Housing Grant (PHG) Singapore: The 4km Rule Explained
PHG is the only CPF housing grant that rewards location choice rather than income. In practice, it reshapes a lot of purchase decisions: a S$30,000 grant is worth one to two months of mortgage payments on a median 4-room resale flat, and it tilts many couples toward estates their parents live in.
What PHG is (and isn’t)
PHG is a resale-only grant. It does not apply to BTO purchases, because HDB already allocates BTO flats through balloting and schemes like the Multi-Generation Priority Scheme. It applies to both first-timers and second-timers, which is unusual — most grants close once you have had one.
Three variants exist:
| Variant | Quantum | Who |
|---|---|---|
| Live near parents / married child | S$30,000 | Couples / families buying within 4km |
| Live with parents / married child | S$15,000 (top-up) | Joint purchase / same flat |
| Singles (35+) near parents | S$20,000 | Singles-scheme resale buyers within 4km |
How the 4km rule actually works
HDB measures straight-line distance between the postal centroids of your new flat and your parents’ (or married child’s) address. It does not care about walking distance, MRT travel time, or which town you’re in. A flat across a canal in a different town may still be within 4km; a flat in the same estate might fall just outside.
You can check the distance on the HDB portal before you commit to an OTP. Sellers often advertise whether a resale flat qualifies; verify it yourself before exercising, because getting the distance wrong means S$30,000 left on the table.
Who counts as parents / child
PHG is more generous about family definitions than many buyers assume. For a married couple, “parents” includes the biological or adoptive parents of either spouse — so living near your in-laws also qualifies. “Married child” means a Singapore Citizen or PR child who has formed a family nucleus of their own.
Step-parents generally do not qualify unless you were legally adopted. The parent(s) must be SC or SPR and must live in Singapore on a regular basis — HDB checks this against their NRIC-registered address.
The post-purchase obligation
PHG carries a follow-through obligation: both households must continue to live within the 4km threshold through your standard 5-year Minimum Occupation Period. If your parents sell up and move further away before MOP ends, you will normally keep the grant — the rule is tested at application time, not continuously — but HDB has clawed back grants in a small number of cases where the relocation happened unusually close to purchase.
A few buyers try to “pass the test” with an in-law’s short-term rental address. HDB has flagged this as a concern and routinely asks for evidence of genuine, stable parental residence.
Worked example
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Buyers | Married SC couple, first-timers |
| Flat | 4-room resale in Clementi at S$680,000 |
| Parents’ flat | 3-room HDB in Queenstown, 2.6km straight-line |
| PHG | S$30,000 |
| Family Grant | S$50,000 |
| EHG (income S$8,500) | S$5,000 |
| Total grants | S$85,000 |
How PHG shapes negotiation
A PHG-qualifying flat is slightly more attractive than an identical flat that falls outside the 4km radius, which means well-informed buyers sometimes bid a touch more for it. Savvy sellers mention “within 4km of XYZ parents’ flat” in the listing because it widens the qualifying buyer pool.
Frequently asked questions
Does PHG apply to EC purchases?
No. Executive Condominiums do not qualify for PHG. It is HDB-resale only.
What if my parents move after I buy?
You are not normally required to refund the grant. However, the Minimum Occupation Period rules around residence still apply to you as the flat owner.
Can I use PHG with my in-laws?
Yes, if they are the legal parents of your spouse. Step-parents usually do not qualify.
Is PHG paid in cash?
No. Like other CPF housing grants, PHG is disbursed via your CPF Ordinary Account against the flat price.
Related guides
- CPF Housing Grants 2026: complete eligibility table.
- Enhanced Housing Grant deep-dive.
- HDB resale buying walkthrough.
This guide is for general information only and is accurate as of April 2026. CPF grants, scheme quantum and eligibility rules are set by HDB / the Ministry of National Development and can change. Always confirm current rules on the HDB Flat Portal or with an HDB officer before committing. We are not a financial or legal advisor.