Interim Rental Fee Subsidy for Families in Financial Hardship who have to Rent Accommodation in Open Market

Ms Carrie Tan asked the Minister for Social and Family Development whether the Ministry will consider an interim rental fee subsidy to be administered by the Social Service Offices (SSOs) for families in financial hardship who have to rent accommodation in the open market due to the long waiting time for HDB to allocate a rental unit to them.

To assist families facing financial hardship that we come across and are waiting for their rental flat allocation, Social Service Offices (SSOs) work with Family Service Centres to identify suitable options for their shelter. These include temporary accommodation with other family members or relatives, rental units from the open market, or shelters. If the only feasible option for the family is rental from the open market, SSOs will exercise flexibility to assist them with the rental expenses or refer them to community assistance.

If the family is in urgent need of a rental flat due to exceptional circumstances, such as medical conditions, the Housing Development Board will assess and expedite their rental flat allocation.