Written answer by Ministry of National Development on effectiveness of Joint Singles Scheme Operator-Run pilot in mitigating conflicts among co-tenants in HDB's Public Rental Scheme

Jan 9, 2024

Questions:

5261. Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim: To ask the Minister for National Development in relation to the Joint Singles Scheme Operator-Run (JSS-OR) pilot under HDB's Public Rental Scheme (PRS) for flats, what is the Ministry's assessment of the current effectiveness of the JSS-OR in mitigating conflicts among co-tenants which conflicts have been identified as the primary impediment discouraging homeless individuals from accepting PRS offers.

5263. Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim: To ask the Minister for National Development in relation to the Joint Singles Scheme Operator-Run (JSS-OR) pilot under HDB's Public Rental Scheme for flats (a) what is the adoption rate of public rental flats by the homeless demographic (i) before the pilot's implementation and (ii) after its expansion in September 2023; and (b) over the next two years, what are the key performance indicators set for the expanded pilot.

Answer:

          We launched the Joint Singles Scheme Operator-Run (JSS-OR) pilot in December 2021, to allow low-income singles to apply for a public rental flat without having to first find a flatmate. HDB appoints a social service agency (SSA) as the operator for each site, to manage the flat-sharing arrangements and mediate conflicts between tenants. In September 2023, the pilot was expanded to another three sites able to accommodate 1,000 tenants in total. HDB has assisted a total of 590 JSS-OR tenants so far.

2.       In assessing the JSS-OR model, we will review the take-up rate, the resolution rate for co-tenant conflicts, and feedback from tenants and operators.

3.       Thus far, the JSS-OR pilot has been progressing well. The model has generally been effective in mitigating co-tenant conflicts. Unlike the Joint Singles Scheme (JSS) in which co-tenants may face difficulties resolving conflicts on their own, the on-site SSA operators can mediate conflicts early, and where necessary, change the flat sharing arrangements. As such, almost all co-tenant disputes reported to the operators have been resolved.

4.       HDB will continue working closely with MSF and other partners in the Partners Engaging and Empowering Rough Sleepers (PEERS) network to assist homeless persons in securing stable housing, which includes public rental housing for those with no other housing options and no family support.