Written Answer by Ministry of National Development on rental assistance to households living in HDB flats

Oct 6, 2020

Ms He Ting Ru: To ask the Minister for National Development from January to July 2020 (a) how many of the 370 households who requested for rent assistance already had rent arrears; and (b) what percentage of those with and without arrears respectively received rent assistance.

Answer:

From January to July 2020, HDB received an average of 370 requests per month for rent assistance. Amongst them: 
(a) About a quarter were from households with rent arrears at the time of request. 
(b) For both the households with rent arrears as well as those without, about two-thirds were assisted with their rent. The remaining households who did not receive rent assistance were assessed to be able to afford their existing rents, or did not follow up further after HDB contacted them about their initial request.
   
Beyond tenants who ask HDB for rent assistance, HDB will also assist tenants pro-actively. For example, if tenants are assessed for ComCare assistance and are found to need help with their rent, HDB will reduce their rents upon notification from the Social Service Office.^[1] Those who cannot afford their rent even after reduction can have it covered by ComCare. 

^[1] The lowest possible rents are $26-$33 for 1-room flats, and $44-$75 for 2-room flats, depending on location.