INCLUDING SINGLES IN THE SINGAPORE STORY
It makes sense to give older singles the shared Singaporean experience of access to affordable housing options nationwide. By doing so, more can become equity stakeholders in the future of the nation, which will in turn promote proper political functioning and sustainable efficiency and growth.
It is also important to include singles because it equips them to care for others in society. As the population ages and family sizes decline, singles are increasingly likely to be on the hook for caring for elderly parents, especially unmarried women.
Giving singles the option to own a home closer to their parents helps, by facilitating more intergenerational transfers of mutual help and care.
How about younger singles who say such housing rules make them feel like they mean less to Singapore than married couples?
Although they are not eligible for the limited supply of HDB flats, there are signs that this group’s needs have also increasingly received policy attention, with the Singapore Land Authority’s recent decision to convert more state-owned buildings to co-living spaces, which will provide more options for temporary living.
Inclusive policies towards singles should not be restricted only to housing. Making access to family care leave more universal for all employees can relieve the burdens on caregivers – regardless of their marital status.
Hence, being considerate of singles’ housing and other needs is not only a matter of respect and fairness, but also works towards a more sustainable solution for the demographic issues ahead.
Tan Poh Lin is a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore.