PEOPLE'S ATTITUDES TOWARDS PUBLIC HOUSING AFFORDABILITY IN SINGAPORE

Abstract

This paper looks into people’s attitudes towards public housing affordability in Singapore. In this study, binary logistic regression model is used to identify the variables, which may affect the attitudes towards affordability, by the potential as well as the current homebuyers. Then, an overall analysis is conducted to illustrate people’s attitudes towards affordability and a comparative analysis will be made to address the difference in their attitudes among these two groups of people. Results for the affordability analysis of potential homebuyers show that the variables affecting their attitudes towards public housing affordability are marital status, monthly personal income, current dwelling type and the type of flat they would consider if there is an intention to purchase a public housing in the near future. The findings strongly suggest that demographic profiles do play an important role in influencing the attitudes towards housing affordability. On the other hand, results for the affordability analysis of current homebuyers show that the Price-to-Income (PI) ratio, type of flat and whether they are buying the flat for the first time are the key determinants affecting their attitudes towards public housing affordability. The comparison analysis concludes that, potential and current homebuyers have different determinants influencing their attitudes towards public housing affordability in Singapore. In addition, the results have shown that potential homebuyers tend to have a positive attitude towards affordability whilst current homebuyers tend to have a negative attitude towards affordability. These findings will have implications in policy making and it will serve as a guide for future planning of housing policies.