Apart from lending, the National Housing Trust also builds. An NHT housing scheme is a development of houses, apartments or serviced lots that the Trust delivers, directly or with private developers, and offers to contributors at prices meant to be within reach of their NHT benefits.
How a scheme is offered
When units are ready for sale, the Trust advertises them through newspapers, digital platforms and broadcast media, along with a fact sheet giving the location, price, loan information, closing costs, eligibility rules and the application dates. Applications are accepted online only, within the stated intake period. Applicants are shortlisted and ranked using the Priority Index Entitlement points system, which weighs contribution history, income and connection to the parish, and the successful candidates are notified by letter and published lists.
Each development reserves a share of units for particular groups. Since July 2026 at least 20% go to contributors aged 35 and under, and allocations are also made for public-sector workers and persons with disabilities.
Financing
Scheme houses and serviced lots can be financed up to the full price, subject to affordability and an overall cap per property. For contributors whose income cannot carry the whole price, the Trust has offered a deferred mortgage, putting off payment on part of the cost, and a short-term lease of up to three years with the option to buy the unit at its original price during that time.
What buyers should know
Scheme units are typically compact one- and two-bedroom homes or serviced lots, in larger developments outside the main towns. Many schemes are sold before completion, so buyers may wait months or years for handover. Titles are often issued later than the keys, and strata developments have maintenance fees and rules set by the strata corporation. Buyers should still use their own attorney and read the sale agreement closely.
Scheme houses are aimed at owner-occupiers. Renting or reselling soon after purchase may be restricted.
Comparable models include Singapore’s HDB flats and the shared-ownership schemes of UK housing associations.
Related terms: NHT Scheme Unit, NHT Points System, NHT Starter Scheme, Development scheme, Strata Title, NHT Mortgage, Starter home.
Accurate as at October 2026. Allocation rules are set by the NHT and can change.
