Corrections and clarifications regarding falsehoods in Facebook post published on 21 Aug

Aug 26, 2024


The Facebook post published by Mr Leong Sze Hian on 21 August 2024 contains a false and misleading statement regarding housing grants disbursed to eligible first-time home buyers of resale flats.

The Minister for National Development has instructed the POFMA Office to issue a Correction Direction[1] to Mr Leong in relation to this post. He will be required to insert a notice against his original post, with a link to the Government’s clarification.

In his Facebook post, Mr Leong claims that no income means-test is applicable to HDB grants for resale flats. This statement is false.

HDB’s resale grants for first-timer families comprise the Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG), CPF Housing Grant (CPF HG) and the Proximity Housing Grant (PHG). The EHG and the CPF HG are both means-tested.  

The EHG is progressively tiered so that lower-income buyers receive more support. This will ensure that those in need will receive more help. With the recent enhancements, first-timer families can receive up to $120,000.

Only eligible first-time home buyers of resale flats with monthly household income not exceeding $14,000 qualify for the CPF HG. They may receive $80,000 if buying a 2-room to 4-room resale flat, or $50,000 if buying a 5-room or bigger resale flat.

HDB’s housing grants provide direct and targeted support to first-time home buyers to afford their homes, with more support for lower-to-middle income households.

For the facts of the case, please refer to the Factually article “Corrections regarding Means-testing of HDB Resale Grants in Facebook post by Mr Leong Sze Hian on 21 Aug 2024” at https://www.gov.sg/article/factually260824-b).

Issued by:    Ministry of National Development

Date:            26 August 2024


[1] A Correction Direction is a Direction issued to a person who has communicated a falsehood (i.e. the recipient) that affects the public interest. It requires the recipient to publish a correction notice, providing access to the correct facts. The Direction does not require the recipient to take down their post or make edits to their content and does not impose criminal sanctions.