SCHEME FOR HOUSING OF FOREIGN TALENTS (SHIFT) - POLICY EVALUATION
LEE NING NING
LEE NING NING
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Abstract
In order for Singapore to remain competitive in the global economy, the country has to be a Global City, which welcomes foreign talent. When talents are brought in from all over the world, there are many provisions that must be made for them. Housing is a key issue for foreign talents working in Singapore because the high private rentals will reduce their disposable incomes. Hence, Jurong Town Corporation (JTC) has been appointed to implement the "Scheme for Housing of Foreign Talents" (SHIFT). This scheme involves the renting out of public housing flat units to foreigners at the prevailing market rate.
The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of SHIFT as a means of attracting foreign talents to Singapore. This was achieved by conducting surveys with foreign talents who are already working in Singapore. They were asked to give their views on issues regarding the scheme and state factors that attracted them to work in Singapore.
The results of the surveys revealed that 'job prospects' and 'job opportunities' were the main factors that have induced them to Singapore. Following closely behind are factors such as 'political stability', 'government regulations' and 'investment prospects'. The survey also revealed that 'affordability of housing' was the sixth most important factor. Thus, it can be concluded that housing is a key issue for foreign talents working in Singapore. The 'cost of living' and 'economic stability' are relatively important factors, whereas 'culture' and 'proximity of their country of origin' to Singapore are relatively unimportant factors.
From the chi-square tests conducted, it can be concluded that there is a relationship between the importance of housing benefits and the respondents' income levels. However, results also indicated that there is no relationship between the importance of housing benefits and the respondents' socio-characteristics, occupation or current housing. Therefore, there may be a need for JTC to review the eligiblity criteria of SHIFT based on the applicants' income levels.
Keywords
Foreign Talents, Expatriate Jurong Town Corporation (JTC), Scheme for Housing of Foreign Talent (SHIFT), Housing Benefits
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Date
1998
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