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http://news.asiaone.com/news/singapo...such-divorcees Daryl Chin The Straits Times Wednesday, Sep 18, 2013 SINGAPORE -The Housing Board has expanded the scheme that caters to families waiting for their new flats to include divorcees, as well as couples that include someone who has previously enjoyed a housing subsidy. Get the full story from The Straits Times. See below for the full press release from HDB: PARENTHOOD PROVISIONAL HOUSING SCHEME TO BENEFIT MORE FAMILIES Today, HDB announced three key changes to the Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS). These changes will allow more families the option of temporarily renting a HDB flat at affordable rates, while they wait for their new flats to be ready. Eligible families will now also be able to move into their PPHS flats soon after applying. Extension of PPHS to Benefit More Families First, HDB will extend the PPHS to: a) married couples, comprising a first-timer and a second-timer; and b) divorced or widowed parents with children. Previously, only married couples comprising two first-timers are eligible. The change will better cater to other families who are also in need of affordable temporary housing while waiting for their new flats to be completed. Married couples will however continue to enjoy priority in selecting a PPHS flat. II Enhancements to Allow Faster Occupation 3. Second, all eligible families will now be able to apply for PPHS flats any time, without waiting for periodic launches. They can do so via the HDB InfoWEB or e-kiosks at HDB Hub/Branches. They will also now be able to apply once they have booked a new flat, without waiting for the signing of the Agreement for Lease, which could be up to a few months after. There are currently 800 PPHS flats across four locations to choose from. These flats are retrofitted and ready for immediate occupation. Monthly rentals start from $800, depending on the flat type and location. Details can be found on the HDB InfoWEB. After applying, they would be able to select and move in by the following month. Third, we will also allow engaged couples to apply for PPHS in advance, while they wait to register their marriage. They must produce their Marriage Certificate within three months of moving into their PPHS flat. Eligibility Criteria In summary, the PPHS applicant must fulfil the following eligibility criteria: a) the applicant forms a family nucleus as a married couple or fiancé-fiancée couple (both are first-timers, or one is a first-timer and the other a second-timer), or a divorced or widowed parent with children, which has booked an uncompleted flat offered in a Build-To-Order (BTO) or Sale of Balance Flats (SBF) exercise. Fiancé-Fiancée couples must submit their Marriage Certificate within three months of taking possession of the PPHS flat; b) the applicant is a Singapore Citizen and there is one other Singapore Citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident in the family nucleus; and c) the applicant and occupiers of the PPHS flat must not be owners of an existing HDB flat, unless they are co-owners of the existing flat with other family members and undertake to relinquish their ownership in the existing flat within six months of taking possession of the PPHS flat. Enquiries More information on the PPHS is available on the HDB InfoWEB. For enquiries, members of the public can contact HDB at: a) E-mail: hdbrental@hdb.gov.sg b) Branch Service Line: 1800 - 2255432 (Weekdays: 8.00am - 5.00pm)