Written Answer by Ministry of National Development on reasons for the large number of Malays moving to three-room or smaller flats, in light of the findings in the Census of Population 2020

Jul 27, 2021

Ms Raeesah Khan: To ask the Minister for National Development in light of the findings in the Census of Population 2020, what are the reasons for the large number of Malays moving to three-room or smaller flats.

Answer: 

Based on the findings from the Census of the Population 2020, the proportion of Malay households living in 1- and 2-room HDB flats increased from 8.7% in 2010 to 16.0% in 2020, while the proportion living in HDB 3-room flats has remained stable, at 22.0% in 2010 and 21.1% in 2020. 

The increase in the number of Malay households living in 1- and 2-room HDB flats was due to various factors. 

First, there was an increase in the number of Malay households staying in HDB public rental flats. This was in tandem with the increase in the supply of HDB 1- and 2-room public rental flats over the last decade, from about 45,500 in 2010 to about 62,000 in 2020. This increase in public rental supply has enabled HDB to provide housing for more lower-income and vulnerable families who do not have other housing options. 

Amongst the Malay households who entered public rental, some were young families who were unable to continue staying with their parents and needed housing while they worked towards buying a flat; some were families who were left with no other housing options after having to sell their previous flat due to changes in their family or financial circumstances; and some were seniors who had little savings or income and did not have family support or were unable to stay with their children. 

Second, there was also an increase in the share of Malay HDB flat buyers who bought 1- and 2-room HDB flats – 3% of them did so in 2010, and this increased to 8% in 2020. Similar increases were also observed for other ethnic groups. This could be partly due to singles being able to buy new 2-room flats since July 2013, as well as seniors right-sizing from bigger flats to 2-room Flexi flats. 

MND and HDB have a suite of housing grants and priority schemes to ensure that public housing continues to be affordable and accessible to all Singaporeans. We have also enhanced our measures to support families staying in public rental flats and help them move to home ownership. In addition to generous housing grants, families in public rental can receive personalised guidance from HDB’s Home ownership Support Team as they work towards buying a flat. MND and HDB are also working closely with MSF as part of the Community Link (ComLink) initiative, which partners families with children living in rental housing in achieving stability, self-reliance and social mobility. 

We are encouraged that many families who were staying in public rental flats have moved on to their own homes. In the past five years, about 4,600 households have done so, an increase of more than 70% compared to 2,600 households in the previous five years. Of the 4,600 households, around 40% were Malay households. Another 2,000 households staying in public rental flats have booked new flats from HDB and are awaiting their completion, of whom around 40% are Malay households. 

Overall, the Census of the Population 2020 findings also showed that the Malay community has achieved significant progress in education, employment, and household income. Strong education foundations, which in turn enable stable employment, are critical for improving housing outcomes. The Government will continue to provide opportunities for all Singaporeans to develop to their full potential, and upskill and reskill for better-paying jobs, regardless of background. 

Within the Malay/Muslim community, the M3 network has strengthened support for lower-income and vulnerable families. The new M3 Engagement Coordination Office will partner other Government initiatives such as MOE’s UPLIFT and MSF’s ComLink, as well as other Malay/Muslim organisations, to strengthen outreach and train volunteers to reach out to Malay families staying in public rental flats. These efforts will be augmented by Project DIAN@M3, which aims to provide more holistic and integrated support for Malay/Muslim families staying in rental flats by connecting them to a wide range of national and community programmes across education, employment, health, and social support. 

The Government will continue strengthening partnerships with the community, and press on with our efforts to uplift lower-income and vulnerable families.