THE RISING NUMBER OF SINGLES IN SINGAPORE AND ITS IMPACTS ON HOUSING PLANNING

Abstract

Based on the Census of Population 2010 statistics, there is an increasing number of single resident population and resident households. At the same time, the Housing and Development Board (HDB) places various eligibility conditions, such as citizenship and age, which restrict singles’ eligibility to purchase public housing. While there are lesser eligibility conditions for private housing (landed and non-landed), these properties pose a greater challenge to affordability. Thus, this paper seeks to examine the relationship between singles and housing demand by testing whether the rising number of singles in Singapore leads to an increase in demand for housing. Thereafter, various recommendations arising from the implications of study are proposed to address the situation. Two methods of testing are used in this research, namely the trendline method for forecasting and a survey to contextualise the forecast results. Various aspects of housing demand by singles are looked into and perspectives with regards to proposed policy changes are also gained through the research. The rising trend of singles and its impacts on housing must be examined so as to ensure timely and adequate provision for them.