Debated in Parliament on 8 Apr 2025.
Ms Hazel Poa asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether the HDB has received any feedback on areas of improvement for the Joint Singles Scheme Operator-Run pilot; and (b) if so, what feedback has been received.
The Joint Singles Scheme Operator-Run (JSS-OR) pilot was launched in December 2021 to improve the experience of single tenants under the Public Rental Scheme. Today, the JSS-OR pilot can provide rental housing for up to 1,000 persons.
Currently, each JSS-OR site comprises a mix of 1-room and 2-room flats, with partitions installed to house two or three persons per flat respectively. The operator of the site matches tenants to their flatmates, steps in to mediate disagreements between tenants and connects them to sources of support, where needed.
The JSS-OR pilot has generally been well-received by tenants. Feedback from tenants and operators thus far include suggestions to: (a) improve the flat design and fittings to facilitate flat-sharing, such as providing separate lighting for each sleeping area; (b) provide more 1-room flats, as more tenants prefer to share a flat with fewer persons; and (c) provide more communal space for operators to hold mediation sessions and activities for tenants.
The Housing and Development Board will continue working with the operators and other stakeholders to improve the JSS-OR pilot for our tenants.
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