Conversion of Former School Compounds into Retirement Villages or Assisted Living Facilities

Mr Murali Pillai asked the Minister for National Development whether the Ministry will consider allowing selected former school compounds that are now vacant to be converted into retirement villages or assisted living facilities for the aged without the need to incur capital costs of building such facilities.

Mr Lawrence Wong: The Ministry of National Development and the Ministry of Health have been working together on plans to develop retirement housing and assisted living projects to expand the range of housing options for our senior citizens.

We are studying the possibility of converting vacant school sites for such developments. Their location within established housing estates will enable residents to age in residential surroundings. Their relatively large site area can accommodate a significant number of housing units and common spaces, allowing residents to interact with one another and develop a sense of community. However, there are also costs involved, to rejuvenate the ageing vacant school properties and re-configure them for housing purposes.

We will continue to study different models of retirement housing and assisted living developments to better meet the needs of our senior citizens, and will share more information on our plans when ready.