What Is the Ethnic Integration Policy?

Quick answer: The Ethnic Integration Policy, EIP, sets ethnic quotas, Chinese, Malay, Indian and Others, at both the block and neighbourhood level for every HDB estate. If your ethnic group's quota at a block is already full, you can still sell your flat, but only to a buyer from a group whose quota still has room, which shrinks your buyer pool and can affect price. The EIP is an HDB policy that applies to buying and selling HDB flats.

Why the EIP exists

Introduced in 1989, the Ethnic Integration Policy was designed to prevent the formation of single race enclaves within HDB estates, so that every block and neighbourhood roughly reflects Singapore's national ethnic mix. It sits alongside the Singapore Permanent Resident quota, which is a separate mechanism.

How the quota works at two levels

EIP operates at the block level and the neighbourhood level at the same time. The block quota applies to a specific block, for example one particular address on one particular street. The neighbourhood quota applies to the wider precinct of several blocks around it, and acts as a second check, if the block quota still has room but the neighbourhood quota is full, the sale is still restricted. A seller is never barred from selling outright, they are barred from selling to a buyer whose ethnic group is already at or over the local quota.

EIP and Singapore Permanent Resident buyers

SPR buyers are subject to EIP in exactly the same way as citizens. An SPR's ethnic group is assessed against the same block and neighbourhood limits, so a Malay SPR cannot buy into a block where the Malay quota is full, regardless of their PR status or how long they have held it.

What EIP means for sellers

If your ethnic group's quota at your block is already full, your eligible buyer pool on resale is limited to buyers whose ethnic group still has room under the quota for that block. HDB provides an online check of eligibility for a specific block under the EIP or the SPR quota.

Frequently asked questions

Can I check my block's EIP status before I list my flat?

Yes. HDB provides an online check of eligibility for a specific block under the Ethnic Integration Policy or the Singapore Permanent Resident quota.

Not sure how the EIP affects your flat?

Winfred checks your block's Ethnic Integration Policy status before you list or make an offer, so you know your real buyer pool upfront.

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Winfred Quek is an Associate Marketing Consultant at Crestbrick Pte Ltd (CEA Licence No. L3010886H). CEA R073319H. This page is for general information only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Rates and rules reflect the position as at 9 Aug 2026; verify current figures with IRAS, HDB, or MAS before making any decision.