Number of Homeless Individuals

Mr Seah Kian Peng asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) whether there has been in increase in the number of homeless individuals since 2015 and, if so, what are the underlying reasons; and (b) what are the places that the homeless occupy for their makeshift/temporary homes.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social and Family Development (Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim) (for the Minister for Social and family Development): Mdm Speaker, the number of homeless individuals who received support and shelter from MSF has decreased slightly from 199 in 2015 to 176 in 2016. This includes individuals found to be staying at public places such as parks and communal spaces in housing estates. Some individuals found sleeping in public places may actually have homes of their own, but they choose to sleep in public because of family disputes or other considerations.

Homeless individuals tend to be of low income and have weak social support. Many of them are older persons, who may have physical or mental health conditions and lack the means to support themselves. Many also have no family members who are able to support them.

If a homeless individual is assessed by MSF to be unable to work and has no financial means and accommodation, and no family support, he or she would be admitted to one of our Welfare Homes. The Homes provide care and rehabilitation programmes to help residents improve in their emotional and physical well-being.

Transitional shelters provide temporary accommodation for homeless individuals and families who have exhausted all other means of accommodation and are not eligible for HDB housing options. Caseworkers at the shelters and social workers at the Family Service Centres will work with them to improve their family situation and secure their long-term housing arrangements.

Mr Seah Kian Peng (Marine Parade): I thank the Parliamentary Secretary for the answer. It is heartening to know that the numbers have come down. Just a few supplementary questions. Amongst these individuals who are homeless, do we also know of those who may have a foreign spouse and are not covered under the 176 cases that are being monitored? If there are, what can MSF do? My next question is that there are many concerned members of the public out there when they see such individuals, so is there a particular hotline which they could call and the Ministry can then activate the resources to render help to these groups of people or individuals.

Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim: Madam, this is about being human, about taking care of one another. Regardless of whether you are Singaporean or otherwise, if you find someone who is homeless, I think the reaction is to just go and see how we can help them. I assure the Member that we have staff who also walk on the ground to look at how we can help people in Singapore who are without homes. About which number to call, they can call our ComCare hotline, and we will direct the necessary help their way as much as possible.

Page: 30