Provision of Stable Temporary Housing for Unwed Parents and Victim-survivors of Family Violence

Ms Poh Li San asked the Minister for National Development with regard to HDB rental housing applications (a) what is the current average waiting time for (i) divorced parents and (ii) unwed parents; and (b) whether the Government will consider studying the possibility of implementing a housing programme to provide unwed parents and victim-survivors of family violence who have no place to go, with stable housing for at least two years, alongside support services.

HDB does not track the waiting times for divorced parents and unwed parents specifically. Across all public rental flat applicants, the average waiting time for the allocation of a public rental flat is, currently, about eight months. For those in urgent need of a rental flat due to exceptional circumstances, such as family violence, HDB will expedite flat allocation. Those who need immediate shelter should approach a Social Service Office, Family Service Centre or call the ComCare hotline (1800-222-0000) to seek help from Transitional Shelters or Crisis Shelters.

MSF works closely with the Family Service Centres to provide temporary accommodation at the Transitional Shelters for single unwed parents or survivors of family violence who need a place to stay. MSF also works with the Family Violence Specialist Centres and PAVE Integrated Services for Individual and Family Protection Specialist Centre to refer female survivors of family violence and their children to the crisis shelters, in situations where the safety risk is high or there is no safe and suitable alternative accommodation option.

At these MSF-funded shelters, the social service professionals work with the residents to address their safety, financial or emotional concerns and also assist them in securing longer-term and stable housing arrangements. There is no cap on the length of stay at these shelters.

Even though shelters are available, it is often better for single unwed parents and survivors of family violence to be supported by their usual support networks of family and friends in their usual places of residence to minimise disruption to their daily routine.