WHITE FLATS - THE ANSWER TO TODAY'S AND TOMORROW'S HOUSING NEEDS

Abstract

The author attempted to study the response to the concept of White Flat after having discussed the popularity of Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats in Singapore over the past decades. In addition, reasons behind HDB dwellers' housing mobility had also been looked into and it had been found that of the majority who moved, most cited space requirement as their main motive for moving. Other reasons include search for a better living environment and a desire to reside near certain amenities. In studying the mobility of the elderly, survey results showed that the general mobility rate decreases as the residents age. Moreover, it was also concluded that middle-aged households between the age of 45 years and 54 years are the least mobile. Survey findings for reasons behind housing moves revealed that those who belonged to the lower income quartiles generally do not move or move less frequently than their wealthier counterparts. There was no distinct trend found between housing costs and mobility, although those who moved most frequently cited affordability of the new housing option as one of the main reasons propelling their moves. In addition, it was found that being married and the number of children that a household has is negatively related to the homeowner's housing mobility. With respect to the response towards the concept of White Flat, most respondents were not receptive towards the concept of flexibility of layout. Nevertheless, majority of the respondents still supported the concept in view of Singapore's ageing population.