SHARING OF HDB RENTAL FLATS

SHARING OF HDB RENTAL FLATS

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(Steps to reduce conflicts): **

26.

Mr Sin Boon Ann asked the Minister for National Development, in light of the recent reports where some residents sharing rental flats had great difficulties getting along, whether the Ministry is taking further steps to help reduce or mitigate conflicts that may arise from such situations.

Mr Mah Bow Tan: In late March this year, the media reported that two rental flatmates had an argument, leading to one death. This generated public interest in HDB's Joint Singles Scheme, where HDB requires a single to pair up with another single before they could rent a one room flat from HDB.

HDB's rental flats are heavily subsidised; they are meant primarily for low income citizen families who do not have other housing options. However, low income singles who need subsidised rental housing may apply to share a rental flat with another single under the Joint Singles Scheme, if both are 35 or older. For singles who are unable to pair

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up with their relatives or friends, HDB assists by making available a list of single persons who are also searching for flatmates.

The flat-sharing arrangement allows our limited rental flats to help as many needy singles as possible. Currently, there are 7,200 rental flats that are shared by two flatmates under the Joint Singles Scheme(1). In addition, flat-sharing facilitates mutual care and support, which is especially important for the elderly singles.

Can HDB reduce conflicts between flatmates? HDB will facilitate replacement of flatmates if they are unable to get along. After one party moves out, HDB allows the remaining tenant a grace period of six months or more to find a replacement flatmate.

Going forward, MND will embark on a review with MCYS to study the appropriate housing for the poor elderly, taking into consideration not just their physical but also their social and emotional needs. But I would like to stress that the family must continue to play a key part in supporting the elderly. Heavily subsidised rental housing should only be for those who do not have family support nor the financial means to help themselves.

(1) There are 9,700 rental flats under the Joint Singles Scheme. Of these, 2,480 are occupied by single tenants mainly due to demise of flatmate.

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