# Family Care Scheme (Proximity) (FCS)

- Topic: HDB & public housing
- Last updated: 6 Nov 2026
- Fact-checked against official government sources: 6 Nov 2026
- Canonical URL: https://propertymeter.sg/glossary/family-care-scheme/

## What is the Family Care Scheme (FCS)?

The Family Care Scheme (Proximity) is an HDB priority scheme that gives parents and their children, married or single, a better chance in the BTO and SBF ballot when they apply to live with or within 4 km of each other. It replaced the Married Child Priority Scheme and part of the Senior Priority Scheme, and reserves up to 30% of flats for eligible first-timer families.

## Key facts

- **For:** Parents and children, married or single, applying to live with or near each other
- **Near means:** The nearest block of the project is within 4 km of the parents' or child's home
- **First-timer families:** Up to 30% of the public supply of BTO and SBF flats
- **Second-timer families:** Up to 5% of BTO and 3% of SBF public supply
- **Eligibility:** At least one parent or child is a citizen or PR; a single child must be 35 or older
- **Replaced:** The Married Child Priority Scheme and the Senior Priority Scheme (living with or near family)

## How the FCS works

You apply for the FCS (Proximity) when you submit your flat application in a BTO or SBF exercise. HDB checks your eligibility after you apply.

| To qualify by | You must |
| --- | --- |
| Living with parents or child | List them in your HFE letter and flat application; they must live in the flat during the MOP |
| Living near parents or child | Apply in a project whose nearest block is within 4 km of their HDB flat, HDB rental flat or private home |

## Flats set aside

| Group | Share set aside |
| --- | --- |
| First-timer families | Up to 30% of BTO and SBF public supply |
| Second-timer families | Up to 5% of BTO and 3% of SBF public supply |
| First-timer singles (2-room Flexi) | Up to 30% of BTO and 2% of SBF non-senior supply |
| Seniors | Part of the seniors' quota (half in Standard and Plus projects, a quarter in Prime) |

## Example

A young couple want a BTO flat near the wife's parents, who own an HDB flat in Tampines. They apply for a project whose nearest block is 3 km away and request the FCS (Proximity). Their application goes into the priority ballot for up to 30% of the flats. After they move in, the wife's parents must keep living within 4 km during the MOP.

## Common mistakes

- **Using an address the parents don't live at.** Their NRIC must show the home they live in.
- **Assuming any distance works.** The nearest block must be within 4 km.
- **Forgetting the MOP condition.** Moving the parents farther away during the MOP breaks the scheme's conditions.

## Frequently asked questions

### Does the FCS guarantee me a flat?

No. Priority schemes improve your chances in the computerised ballot but don't guarantee a good queue number.

### Can I combine the FCS with another priority scheme?

You can apply for one priority scheme per application. If you qualify for the Family and Parenthood Priority Scheme, you may apply for one other scheme, such as the FCS (Proximity).

### What must we do after collecting keys?

The parents or child who helped you qualify must continue to live with you, or within 4 km of your flat, during the minimum occupation period.

### Is there a grant for living near parents?

For resale flats, yes: the Proximity Housing Grant. The FCS is a priority scheme for new flats, not a grant.

## Sources

1. [Priority schemes](https://www.hdb.gov.sg/buying-a-flat/bto-sbf-and-open-booking-of-flats/process-for-buying-a-new-flat/application/priority-schemes) (HDB)
2. [Conditions after buying a new flat](https://www.hdb.gov.sg/buying-a-flat/bto-sbf-and-open-booking-of-flats/conditions-after-buying-a-new-flat) (HDB)

---
Source: PropertyMeter (https://propertymeter.sg/glossary/family-care-scheme/). General information only, not financial, legal or tax advice.