Presenter: Dr Ng Kok Hoe, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, NUS
Time: 4pm to 5:30pm
Venue: AS7-01-17, The Shaw Foundation Building, Block AS7, Level 1
National University of Singapore, 5 Arts Link, Singapore 117570

Abstract:
Public rental housing has a long history in Singapore and has been expanding in recent years, but is often overlooked in research on Singapore’s public housing policy. Based on a survey of more than 800 rental households, this study examines the profile, housing histories, experiences, and expectations of public rental tenants. The findings show that the tenant population face significant educational and economic disadvantage. Almost half of the households have no work income at all, even though work is the most common income source in general. While Malay households are over-represented, Chinese elderly tenants have the lowest educational profile. Many tenants have long histories of renting, with about 40% of them living in public rental housing 20 years ago. Within the population, two types of household stand out: Adults with children, and elderly-only households. Between them, they account for two thirds of the tenant population. These two types of household also report very different housing experiences and expectations.  On the whole, the survey findings highlight the diversity of the tenant population, raising questions about how far public rental housing caters for different needs, and the extent of flexibility and choice within the public housing system.

Presenter’s profile:
Ng Kok Hoe is Assistant Professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore. He received his PhD in Social Policy from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). He was previously in the Singapore civil service and continues to consult for the government and the voluntary sector on social policy and social service issues. Kok Hoe’s research interests are ageing and income security; poverty and public housing policy; and community-based social services. His ongoing projects examine the impact of public pension policies and reforms on old-age income security and poverty, the social and economic circumstances of social housing, and the impact of youth outreach and social assistance programmes.

REGISTRATION IS CLOSED

Registration closes on Friday, 14 Apr 2017.
Seats are on a first-come, first-served basis. All are welcome.
For enquiries, please contact Ms Jess Tan