DEMAND FOR MULTIGENERATIONAL FLATS IN THE HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD (HDB) ESTATES

Abstract

The threat of a rapidly ageing population in Singapore prompts the need for adequate support to the elderly, especially in terms of their housing needs. To ensure familial support to the elderly, the government introduced multigenerational flats to encourage children to live with their parents. Through the surveys with two groups of residents (aged 21 to 65 and above 65) who are residing in multigenerational flats, this study seeks to investigate if there is a demand for multigenerational flats and determine the factors driving the demand. It will also examine if there is any abuse of multigenerational flats. The preferred living arrangements of residents will also be identified. Two statistical analysis methods, namely the binary logistic regression and independent samples T-test, were employed in this study. The results show that there is a demand for multigenerational flats in Singapore. Parents’ age, health status and adequacy of CPF and respondents’ age, average age of their children and family-related, family relations and parental assistance benefits are significant factors in influencing the younger generation to live with their parents. Statistically significant differences between the perceived benefits of multigenerational flats to the two groups of respondents also imply that there might be an abuse of multigenerational flats. The results also indicate that respondents aged 21 to 65 prefer to live in close proximity to their parents while respondents above 65 prefer to live with their children. The findings from this study will provide valuable insights to the policy makers, who have been actively promoting multigenerational living. This includes the need for them to review and revise the policy accordingly to ensure its effectiveness.