EVALUATION OF EXISTING PUBLIC HOUSING CONDITIONS AND POLICIES FOR ELDERLY IN SINGAPORE

Abstract

This study seeks to examine the current public housing conditions and policies for elderly in Singapore and to propose recommendations to improve the overall living condition of the elderly.

Over the years, the government has been actively implementing housing policies and initiatives to cater to the housing needs of the elderly in Singapore. The government also introduce various housing financial schemes to address the apparent “asset rich, cash poor” problem among the ageing population. Meanwhile, there is also a growing preference among the elderly in Singapore to live independently and age in place.

This study adopts both qualitative and quantitative approaches in reviewing the success of the housing policies and determining the possible recommendations that can further cater to the housing needs of the elderly population. The survey findings reveal that generally, the elderly population in Singapore are not very receptive to the current financial housing policies. Furthermore, there are also room for improvements in terms of the provision amenities and elderly-friendly facilities within the public housing estates.

Hence, four recommendations are being put forward in this study to enhance the overall living condition of the elderly population in Singapore. They are the Shared Ownership Scheme, Elderly Rental Scheme, Deferred Payment Loan and the incorporation of more elderly-friendly features as well as free shuttle services.