CO-OPERATIVE HOUSING FOR SINGAPORE

Abstract

Housing, in (almost) every country is definitely an issue that has yet to be fully resolved. Singapore in particular, underwent rapid development since its independence in 1965. Since then after being a developed country, many issues arise, mainly the changing demographics of the nation, increasingly expensive housing as well as the lack of community spirit within the residents in a neighbourhood. The public housing sector is regulated by the Housing and Development Board (HDB), which make up approximately 80% of housing in Singapore, and is the only form for the majority to purchase or own a home, mostly the lower income families. Therefore, this dissertation serves to seek other possible models of delivering housing to the masses, which in this case is the proposal of Co-operative Housing. Co-operative housing societies were once present in Singapore from the 1950s, and ceased operations in the 1980s due to several factors. This dissertation serves to look into the rise and fall of these housing co-operatives and by looking into some case studies (local and foreign), explore the possibility of repackaging the idea of co-operative living to the Singapore today, as an alternative in delivering public housing for future Singaporeans.