Reply by SPS Sun Xueling in response to Adjournment Motion by MP Louis Ng Kok Kwang on "Providing Housing for Single Unwed Parents"

Sep 2, 2019

Mr Deputy Speaker Sir, I would like to thank Mr Louis Ng for his efforts in representing the voices of single unwed parents. He has provided useful perspectives for us to factor in, in our continuous review of existing policies. In his speech, he has provided useful feedback on how our policies are implemented, and shared the experiences faced by single unwed parents when applying for a flat.

I understand that there may be single unwed parents with us here today in the public gallery and I would like to unequivocally state in their presence that single unwed parents and their children are valued citizens in our society, and like all parents, are respected for the love and care they have provided for their children. They are no less a mother or a father, just because their child was born outside of marriage. Their children, like any other child in our society, are precious and every parent regardless of their marital status, ought to be treated with respect.  

I acknowledge that in the past, the Government was fairly strict in limiting public housing access to married couples. However, over time, this position has evolved. For single unwed parents, we hope to facilitate their efforts to build a stable environment for their child. 

At the Ministry of National Development, we recognise that having a roof over their heads is a key concern. We are thus committed to ensure that no child is left without adequate shelter to grow up in. 

I believe Mr Ng can attest to the fact that most of the cases that he has shared with the HDB have been helped by the HDB. He had shared earlier about the case about Mary, and if this is the applicant and I think I know the case, her request for rental was approved 11 days after she first contacted HDB.

I would like to first explain our approach towards public rental applications. We believe home ownership provides long-term stability and progress for Singaporeans. This is why HDB reviews every application for public rental individually, to see whether they can buy a flat or stay with family. This means working out each family’s housing budget and engaging them further to understand their situation, together with social workers if need be. Such an individualised approach is taken for all public rental applicants, and not just for single unwed parents. HDB receives about 7,000 public rental applications per year. But we continue to take an individualised approach towards rental applications, as each of our applicants may have unique and complex backgrounds and circumstances, which would benefit from a more in-depth look. 

Mr Ng suggested that HDB should have some clear criteria for when single unwed parents can get a public rental flat. I agree with Mr Ng that there may be some common and objective factors we can identify, for example, income. But I would like to add that income is but one indicator of the needs of the applicant.  We do not rely on a few pre-determined metrics to understand the applicant’s circumstances. These are guidelines, and from HDB’s perspective and experiences, applicants can have more differences than similarities in their circumstances. 

For instance, the applicant could have medical conditions, which could impede his or her ability to live independently at the point of their application to the HDB. This may be highlighted to HDB by the applicant’s social worker. And in such cases, once there is a new assessment by the social worker that the applicant is ready to live independently, HDB would proceed to allocate the applicant a rental flat. 

So the HDB does not apply a one-size-fits-all policy. Where appropriate, the HDB works closely with social workers to assess the best option for the applicant at that point in time. 

Next, I will touch on home ownership flats. Mr Ng has suggested a dedicated scheme to allow single unwed parents under 35 years old to buy a 2-room flat from HDB. I appreciate Mr Ng’s intent and understand where he is coming from. We will study Mr Ng’s suggestion carefully, bearing in mind that HDB also has to meet demand for new 2-room Flexi flats from other applicants, such as singles above 35 years old and seniors who are looking to right-size or buy a short-lease flat. 

The number of single unwed parents who apply to HDB for rental or purchase flats every year is not large. We take a holistic approach for every application, as our concern is to safeguard the best interests of the child – especially in situations where the parent is single, young, not working or drawing a low or perhaps irregular income. 

I want to assure Mr Ng that HDB will not outright turn away any single unwed parent who approaches us to seek housing assistance. In every case, HDB will engage the parent to understand more about their circumstances, including their financial and family situation. When purchasing or renting an HDB flat of their own does seem to be the best arrangement for the parent and the child, HDB will support their application. 

Finally, Mr Ng raised a few suggestions on how we can better communicate with and engage single unwed parents on their housing applications. He emphasised that single unwed parents should not be made to feel discriminated against. I wholeheartedly agree that we should review our communications and avoid unintentionally causing additional anxiety to single unwed parents, who may already feel tremendously stressed by their circumstances.

I have discussed this with the HDB Team. There are a few things that we will do. First, we will conduct a comprehensive review of the various touch points, which single unwed parents may encounter in their housing journey, from the e-applications system to our HDB Branches, to improve and align our communications. Second, we will review HDB’s website to explicitly state that single unwed parents may approach HDB to apply to buy or rent an HDB flat and how they may go about submitting their request to HDB. Third, we will also look at the inclusion of a dedicated section in the HDB’s website to address common housing queries from single unwed parents. 

We hope that these measures will help allay anxieties that single unwed parents may have. Single unwed parents and their children are our valued citizens. We are committed to do better and to engage with them better.

Mr Deputy Speaker Sir, when I came into politics, I was determined to always interact with my residents with respect and empathy. I am not sure if I have succeeded as much as I would like to have, but I feel that I have tried my hardest. I believe that similarly, HDB’s frontline staff do their best but I suspect that the customer experience may not be entirely even. 

Further, policies may not always be able to cater to every single citizen’s request, which can result in frustration on both sides. But there must always be empathy in our interactions, and this works both ways. I hope that our citizens when they interact with HDB’s officers, I hope that there is mutual respect on both sides.  I have spoken to the HDB. HDB is working hard to improve their frontline services for every citizen. They handle a large volume of queries and feedback, around 2 million queries over the phone, walk-ins and emails every year. They have told me that they are committed to doing their work well and upholding high service standards.HDB will continue to improve their processes in engaging single unwed parents and in helping them find the best environment for their child to grow up in.

In conclusion, I would like to reiterate that we accept all applications from single unwed parents who approach HDB to apply to purchase or rent an HDB flat and will consider their applications holistically. 

We will review the various touch points, experience and process of the housing journey for single unwed parents. The HDB is committed to do better. I would like to assure Mr Ng and this House again, that applicants will not be rejected merely due to their status as a single unwed parent. HDB will approach each and every single unwed parent who puts in an application to better understand their circumstances. 

We seek everyone’s understanding and patience. At the heart of it, I want single unwed parents to know that we share their desire to ensure the well-being of their child, and we will try our best to support them to this end.  

Lastly, I thank Mr Ng for his suggestions, for his work, and hope that we can continue to work together to support our single unwed parents and their children.