Mr Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap (Aljunied): Sir, I will touch on four matters related to HDB’s public rental scheme, PRS. First, on the Joint Single Scheme (JSS) Operator-Run, which was launched in December 2021. I would like to ask, how many applications HDB received in 2022 and 2023 and what is the success rate?
Second, I have encountered more residents seeking help to appeal for a PRS JSS unit but have faced difficulties finding a suitable co-applicant even after receiving a list of potential co-applicants from HDB. Other than the JSS-OR scheme, what other measures are HDB exploring to assist this segment?
Third, how many 3-room PRS units have been created to date? What is the occupancy rate and what are the eligibility criteria for a family wishing to apply for a 3-room PRS unit?
Sir, my final points relate to the challenges faced by single parents who are either unemployed or low-income earners. I have met many of whom, are anxious about housing for themselves and their children following a divorce. While waiting for their matrimonial flat to be disposed of, they are unable to apply for a PRS unit. But if they apply only after the matrimonial unit is sold, they may be in for a long wait before the application for a PRS is approved and a unit is allocated to them.
During the wait, they have no stable housing. In many cases, the financial proceeds from the sales of matrimonial units are insufficient for them to secure a new flat and they also cannot afford renting from the open market. Sir, would HDB consider granting single parents in such situation in-principle approvals, provided they meet the other criteria for a PRS unit?
The Minister of State for National Development (Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim):
Ms Carrie Tan, Mr Faisal Manap and Mr Louis Chua have asked for updates on these new typologies.
The JSS Operator-Run model, or JSS-OR for short, is an ongoing pilot from December 2021. Under JSS-OR, singles can apply for a rental flat without a flat mate. A social service agency appointed by HDB operates each site, including managing the flat sharing arrangements and mediating between tenants when disagreements arise.
Last year, we expanded the pilot to three new sites in Bukit Panjang, Bidadari and Sengkang. With these additional sites, HDB has assisted about 600 JSS-OR tenants as of end-2023 and can accommodate up to 1,000 tenants in total.
One tenant that has benefited from JSS-OR is Mr Lee, who is in his 70s. After the friend he was living with passed away, Mr Lee had to turn to public rental housing. At his age and with his medical needs, Mr Lee had trouble finding a flat mate to apply with under the JSS. With the help of a social worker, Mr Lee applied for the JSS-OR instead. After he was accepted to the Bukit Panjang site, the JSS-OR operator helped to pair him with a compatible flat mate and Mr Lee moved in in October 2023. Since then, Mr Lee and his flat mate have been getting along well. As demonstrated through Mr Lee’s experience, I am happy to share that the pilot has been progressing well. Mr Lee and many other tenants have shared their appreciation for the on-site social service agency whom they can approach for assistance when needed.
The model has also been effective in mitigating co-tenant conflicts. Over 95% of such conflicts were resolved through the on-site operators’ early mediation and adjustment of flat sharing arrangements where necessary. Some operators have also gone the extra mile, for example, by organising activities to encourage interaction and bonding amongst tenants. We will further evaluate the pilot outcomes, before adjusting and expanding the model to meet the needs of the tenants and operators.
Another pilot typology is the Single Room Shared Facilities model, or SRSF. Through SRSF, we aim to give singles in public rental more privacy while making good use of limited space and preventing social isolation. HDB will open applications for the SRSF pilot in the second quarter 2024. Thereafter, we look forward to housing the first batch of successful applicants from around the third quarter 2024.
Ministry of National Development
5 March 2024
https://sprs.parl.gov.sg/search/#/sprs3topic?reportid=budget-2376
Office of the Leader of the Opposition 