Singapore risks gentrification if public housing left to market forces: Desmond Lee

ACCESSIBLE HOUSING FOR SENIORS

Mr Lee said new policies have been introduced over the years to make public housing more accessible to the likes of singles and senior citizens.

Compared to the previous offering of studio apartments on 30-year ownership durations, seniors now have 2-room Flexi flats with more flexible leases to accommodate their plans, he pointed out.

“We have built integrated senior housing in Kampung Admiralty, continuing to study whether such a model really empowers the seniors living there, because it is a vertical kampong,” Mr Lee added.

“And (we) are trying another one out, with slightly different configurations, at Yew Tee. Again, seniors housing integrated with different services.

“We see what the seniors respond to, how to ensure in seniors housing we have mixing that draws young people, young children to come and make use of the facilities and interact with the seniors.”

The minister said a second pilot batch of Community Care Apartments – after the first in Bukit Batok – will be launched soon to provide housing with senior-friendly features and customisable care services.

There is also an Enhanced Lease Buyback Scheme to help seniors to monetise their flats even as they continue living in them, said Mr Lee.

“Our public housing journey reflects and mirrors the growth and development of our society as we evolve and change. And it is a product of the evolving social compact between Government and people, and between each and everyone of us,” he said.

“And what we decide to do, what we decide to consume or use, will also impact what is available for future generations.”