Singapore social housing model offers subsidized rentals for low-income residents

Singapore utilizes a state-led social housing model through the Housing and Development Board (HDB) to provide affordable living options despite high real estate costs. Approximately 77.2% of the population resides in these government-built homes, a system that has effectively eliminated slums and unregistered settlements in the country.

Under this program, low-income families, elderly citizens, and social assistance recipients can access subsidized rentals ranging from 26 SGD to 275 SGD per month. These units, often one or two-bedroom apartments, are concentrated in areas such as Lengkok Bahru, Henderson, and Bukit Merah.

A key feature of the model is urban integration. Rather than isolating low-income residents, social housing blocks are built alongside middle-class developments. This ensures all residents have equal access to public transportation, healthcare centers, schools, and shared amenities like parks. In areas like Bukit Merah, over 20% of the residents are aged 65 or older, highlighting the system's role in supporting the elderly within the city's central infrastructure.