Upcoming EC Launches 2026–2027 vs a Private Condo at Hougang Central
Which upcoming EC projects are in the 2026–2027 pipeline, where they are, which rules apply, and how they compare with a private condo such as LinkTown Residences at Hougang Central.
If you are an eligible first-time family, an upcoming EC is often the first thing you look at: a condo-style home at a lower price, with the chance of a CPF Housing Grant. But the EC pipeline for 2026 and 2027 is concentrated in particular parts of the island, the rules changed in 2026, and not every household qualifies. For many north-east families, the realistic comparison is between an upcoming EC further away and a private condo closer to home. If a new HDB flat is also on your list, see our Hougang BTO vs condo guide.
This guide lists the upcoming EC projects reported so far, explains which rules apply to them, and compares the EC route with a private condo such as LinkTown Residences (Hougang Central Residences).
Upcoming EC launches: the reported pipeline
Information is accurate as of September 2026; we update this page when launches, results or rules change.
ECs are built on land sold by the Government, so the pipeline follows the land tenders. Based on publicly reported tender results and developer statements, as of September 2026 none of the sites below had been reported as launched for sale:
| EC site | Area | Developer (top bidder) | Est. units | Reported timing (as of September 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woodlands Drive 17 (first site) | Woodlands | City Developments (CDL) | ~430 | CDL said in May 2026 it expects 1Q2027 |
| Senja Close | Bukit Panjang | CDL | ~302 | CDL said in May 2026 it expects 1Q2027 |
| Woodlands Drive 17 (second site) | Woodlands | Sim Lian Group | ~560 | Analysts suggested late 2026 or early 2027 (Jan 2026 reports); not confirmed by the developer |
| Sembawang Road | Sembawang | Oriental Pacific Holdings | ~265 | Analysts suggested early 2027 (Sep 2025 reports); not confirmed by the developer |
| Miltonia Close | Yishun | Hoi Hup Realty | ~430–450 | Tender closed April 2026; launch not confirmed |
| Canberra Drive | Sembawang (Canberra) | Tender launched May 2026; reported to close 1 Oct 2026 | ~185 | Later; first site under the May 2026 rules and the S$18,000 ceiling |
Compiled from EdgeProp reports of land tenders and developer statements; unit counts are estimates and launch dates are set by developers and may change. Check the developer and HDB for current information.
Two ECs have already launched in 2026, according to EdgeProp: Coastal Cabana (748 units, Jalan Loyang Besar, Pasir Ris), which sold 498 units, about 67%, over its January launch weekend at an average of about S$1,734 psf, and Rivelle Tampines (572 units, by Sim Lian Group), which sold 92.5% over its end-March launch weekend at an average of about S$1,893 psf and was reported fully sold within a month, after second-timer balloting in late April.
Is there a new EC in Hougang?
People do search for a “new EC in Hougang”, and an online ad once described the Hougang Central project as “Hougang EC”. It is not. None of the EC sites reported for 2026–2027 is in Hougang, Sengkang or Punggol. The Hougang Central site was sold as a mixed-use commercial and residential site, and its homes, LinkTown Residences, are private condominium units. Our explainer Is LinkTown Residences an EC? covers this in full.
Which EC rules apply to which launch
EC rules were tightened on 8 May 2026, and the income ceiling was raised at the National Day Rally in August 2026. As of September 2026, both changes are tied to the land tender closing date, and ECs already launched or on land already awarded keep the old rules:
- Sites with tenders closing before 8 May 2026, which covers the projects in the table above except Canberra Drive: five-year MOP, full privatisation after ten years, S$16,000 income ceiling.
- Sites with tenders closing on or after 8 May 2026: ten-year MOP, privatisation after 15 years, no Deferred Payment Scheme, and 90% of units for first-timers (up from 70%), as reported by EdgeProp.
- Sites with tenders closing on or after 24 August 2026: income ceiling of S$18,000, announced at the 2026 National Day Rally. Canberra Drive, reported to close on 1 October 2026, would be the first site covered by both changes.
So an upcoming EC launched in late 2026 or 2027 is almost certainly still a five-year MOP, S$16,000-ceiling project. If you are above S$16,000, see our guide to the EC income ceiling and your private condo options.
Upcoming EC vs a private condo at Hougang Central
| Upcoming EC (typical) | LinkTown Residences | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Executive condominium, HDB rules apply | Private condominium, mixed-use GLS site |
| Location | Mostly north and north-west in the current pipeline | Hougang town centre, linked to Hougang MRT |
| Transport | Varies by project | North-East Line now; CRL interchange targeted ~2030 |
| Price | 2026 launches averaged about S$1,734–1,893 psf at launch (reported) | ~S$2,500–2,600 psf expected (analyst estimates, not official) |
| Eligibility | Income ceiling, family nucleus, at least one SC | Open to citizens, PRs and foreigners |
| MOP (as of September 2026) | 5 years (10 for sites tendered from 8 May 2026) | None |
| Loan limits | MSR 30% and TDSR 55% | TDSR 55% |
| Grants | CPF Housing Grant for eligible first-timers | None |
| Integration | Standalone condos in most cases | Mall, bus interchange and town plaza on site |
How to decide
An upcoming EC may suit you if
- You qualify under the income ceiling and eligibility rules.
- You are happy to live in the north or north-west, where most of the pipeline is.
- Price per square foot is your main constraint, and you plan to stay at least five years.
- You are a first-timer and can benefit from the grant and the first-timer allocation.
A private condo at Hougang Central may suit you if
- Your family, work or schools are in the north-east, such as District 19’s Hougang, Sengkang and Punggol, and moving across the island is a real cost.
- You are above the income ceiling, or are a second-timer facing a limited second-timer quota and possibly a resale levy.
- You want no MOP, and the freedom to sell or rent when your plans change.
- Living above an MRT interchange and a mall matters to you day to day.
The price gap is significant. At the analysts’ estimates (as of September 2026), a 1,066 sq ft 3-bedroom at LinkTown Residences works out to about S$2.67 million; the same size at an EC averaging S$1,850 psf would be about S$1.97 million. That difference is the price of location, integration and flexibility, and whether it is worth it is a personal call. Start with how much condo you can afford. Our HDB upgrader guide and new launch vs resale guide help you test the numbers from the private side.
What to check at any launch, EC or private
- Your eligibility first. For an EC, confirm your income, scheme and any grant with HDB before booking day. For a private condo, get an In-Principle Approval from a bank.
- Which rules the project carries. For ECs, ask the developer which MOP and privatisation timeline apply to that site.
- The full cost. Stamp duty, legal fees and the cash portion of the down payment apply either way. See our stamp duty guide.
- Transport and daily life. Visit at peak hours. A cheaper home with a long commute has costs that don’t show up in psf.
EC project details are based on publicly reported information (mainly EdgeProp) as of September 2026 and may change; verify with HDB and the developers. EC rules are as announced by MND and HDB and reported. LinkTown Residences prices are not announced; all LinkTown figures are analyst estimates. Published by an independent licensed salesperson, not the developer.
Related reading: Executive Condominium Singapore, Price of EC in Singapore, EC in Punggol.
