More flexibility on HDB's interim rental housing programme

HDB can do more for families on the verge of home foreclosures, according to some social workers. The housing board responded saying that it shows flexibility on a case-by-case basis.

For instance, Wong Kwong Sing, executive director of Tanjong Pagar Family Service Centre, hopes that the government can supply interim rental housing to families before they are forced to live on the streets.

"Most families are displaced due to the repossession of their flats by HDB or banks for their inability to repay the mortgage," said Mr. Wong. "If the authority can arrange and facilitate the Interim Rental Housing assistance prior to repossession, this will definitely reduce the number of homeless families."

Several social workers also felt that HDB should be "more flexible" and "exercise its discretion on compassionate grounds" when implementing rental rules on flats.

Gerard Tan, executive director of Moral FSC (Bukit Panjang), has encountered clients who cannot avail any of the public housing options due to personal and family circumstances like having children out of wedlock.

"While there's a need for the housing policy to be applied consistently, sympathetic consideration may be warranted where the welfare of children is concerned," said Mr. Tan.

It "can exercise flexibility on a case-by-case basis," said HDB in an interview. "We need to adopt a holistic approach to help the families, beyond just housing. Without solving the underlying issues involved, the families could easily lapse into 'homelessness' again, even if a flat were provided to them."

HDB stressed that it works closely with town councils, banks and the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports to resolve these families’ long-term financial, social and accommodation options.

The public housing board said that supply for rental flats has also been increased to 44,500 units from 42,000 units in 2007, and the average waiting time has also been reduced to one year from 21 months in 2009.

Meanwhile, Tanjong Pagar FSC is working with the Central Singapore Community Development Council to speed up the approval of financial assistance to homeless clients, with a waiting time of only two weeks, instead of four to six weeks.

None of the homeless adults who came to the FSC could seek refuge with their immediate family members, said Mr. Wong, who urged Singaporeans to be more compassionate toward their own families.

While they "don't think there's going to be a magic bullet to slay this beast," Mr. Tan highlighted how occupants of rental flat projects in Malaysia's Selangor state can now do community service to pay off their rent arrears, similar to the work-for-the dole programme of the Australian government.

"Perhaps some incarnation of these schemes might be helpful in the Singapore context?" Mr. Tan said.