Singapore is reportedly the most expensive city in the world where the rent prices start from $2,000 Singapore dollars, or about $1,500, for a two-bedroom apartment in a public housing apartment.
Land is scarce in Singapore, a country less than a quarter the size of Rhode Island, the smallest state in the US. Over the past 60 years, the population has increased from 1.65 million to 5.45 million people.
The Housing and Development Board eligibility conditions don't allow singles to purchase public housing before they turn 35. As of 2021, public housing is where 80% of the population resides.
Many choose to live with their parents until they get married to avoid the high rent prices, while those who have no choice will opt to share a flat with another tenant, typically at around $500 for a fully-furnished room 30 minutes away from the city center.
The country's Housing and Development Board revealed sample rooms of their new pilot public rental housing model for singles, which is slated to be launching applications by the end of the year. The single room shared facilities scheme is targeted at vulnerable singles with an average monthly income of $1,000, though those with a higher income are still welcome to apply.
The two 11-story buildings used to be a school dormitory. Previously with only 240 rooms, new additional partitions doubled the number. Each room, of a little under 100 sq ft, will have the basic furnishings of a bed frame, wardrobe, table, chair, and a mini fridge.
Bathroom and kitchen facilities are communal, where 12 people will be allocated to a single bathroom with multiple cubicles. A common kitchen will be shared by 24 people. The flat will also have laundry and activity rooms.
A fixed fee — calculated based on the person's monthly income and other factors — will be due every month. The government plans to release more information on the rent later in the year. Upon the release of pictures of the rooms and facilities, there have been mixed responses on various social media platforms in Singapore.
Although the number of street homeless persons dropped by more than 40%, from 1,050 to 616, in 2021, the occupancy in temporary shelters increased more than sixfold. The public rental housing system contributed directly to homelessness.
