Hostel-Like Rental Homes for Low-Income Singles Spark Debate Among Netizens

A new model of public rental housing for low-income singles, unveiled by the Housing Development Board (HDB) on March 13, has sparked a lively debate online. Known as the Single Room Shared Facilities (SRSF), the new arrangement provides tenants with private bedrooms and access to shared kitchens, toilets, laundry rooms, and activity spaces.

While some netizens have drawn comparisons between the rooms and army bunks due to their minimalist design, others have expressed concerns about the small size of the rooms and the potential for conflicts over shared amenities.

Despite the criticisms, many have acknowledged that the SRSF model is a significant improvement compared to earlier public rental flats, offering more privacy. The previous Joint Singles Scheme Operator-Run flats introduced in 2021, for instance, had large gaps in room partitions.

Some netizens also noted that this is an affordable option for people struggling to cope with Singapore’s rising rental prices, while others pointed out that it is preferable to having individuals sleep on the streets.

The pilot project, set to launch at the former Anderson Junior College hostel, will provide 480 rooms across two 11-storey blocks. If successful, the SRSF model could be integrated into Singapore’s broader public rental housing scheme. Applications for the SRSF units will open at the end of the year, with tenants expected to move in by early 2024.

Minister for National Development Desmond Lee, who visited the site, emphasized the balance between privacy and social interaction that the new housing model aims to achieve, adding that it will also provide essential social support for tenants.