{"id":10834,"date":"2017-07-01T01:43:28","date_gmt":"2017-06-30T17:43:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.99.co\/blog\/singapore\/?p=10834"},"modified":"2022-07-01T04:07:32","modified_gmt":"2022-06-30T20:07:32","slug":"pink-in-singapore","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.99.co\/singapore\/insider\/pink-in-singapore\/","title":{"rendered":"Pink in Singapore \u2013 finding a home together"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"pink<\/p>\n

1 July 2017 marks the ninth edition of Pink Dot. By now, everyone in Singapore knows what Pink Dot is and what it stands for – supporting the freedom to love. The outpouring of support by the public in terms of local sponsors for the event after the government changed the rules for sponsorship last year was heartening to see. No matter which side of the barricade you find yourself on, there\u2019s no denying that same-sex couples have the same aspirations as every Singaporean son and daughter \u2013 which is to one day, own a home together in their homeland. The right to housing options (both public and private) for all Singaporeans, regardless of sexual orientation, should not be a tricky minefield one has to navigate with caution. However, this is not currently the case. <\/span><\/p>\n

What it means to be pink in Singapore<\/b><\/h3>\n

The law in Singapore currently does not consider same-sex marriages valid, even if it is legal and recognised in the jurisdiction in which the couple got married or had a civil union ceremony. \u00a0So, a same-sex couple who studied in and got married in the United States, upon returning home to Singapore, will find that in the eyes of the law of their homeland, they are not married. This leads to difficulties when it comes to, among other things, housing. <\/span><\/p>\n

While a married couple of the opposite sex below 35 is allowed to apply for new or resale HDB flats and get grants to boot, the same \u201cprivilege\u201d is not accorded to a same-sex couple of the same age. This is because such couples with or without children are not recognised as a \u201cfamily nucleus\u201d under HDB rules. <\/span><\/p>\n

Thus, same-sex couples essentially, will be forced to wait until they are 35 or above before they can apply for a new or resale HDB flat singly or jointly. Even then, if the single applicant wants a new HDB flat, he or she can only apply for a new 2-room Flexi BTO flat (read, one bed one bath) in a non-mature estate. He or she is not entitled apply for a bigger new flat even if he or she can afford it or even if he or she has a child. \u00a0The same rules apply to two single persons applying jointly. <\/span><\/p>\n

This article looks at the various housing options open to two single persons or to a same-sex couple for public and private housing and the possible grants one can receive when buying public housing. <\/span><\/p>\n

Looking to buy a home – things to establish from the get-go<\/b><\/h3>\n

Before taking the plunge to buy that dream home together, here are some issues you should sort out first:<\/span><\/p>\n