Adequacy of Adult Disability Residential Services and Support Programmes
Ministry of Social and Family DevelopmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the capacity and utilisation of adult disability residential services and support programmes, as raised by Prof Kenneth Poon. Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli B M M stated that 11 adult disability homes provide 1,500 places with over 80% utilisation and 100 people waitlisted. He added that three hostels offer 130 places, while home capacity grew by 300 in 2022 with a new facility planned for 2030. The Ministry is also piloting the Enabled Living Programme and the Home Support Programme to provide alternative community-based services. These two pilot programmes are projected to support up to 250 persons with disabilities who do not require institutional care.
Transcript
62 Prof Kenneth Poon asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) over the past five years, what has been the annual number of places of (i) adult disability homes (ii) adult disability hostels (iii) supported living arrangements, and (iv) the Enabling Living Programme, respectively; and (b) whether the Ministry can also provide any available data on utilisation rates or waiting lists for these services over the same period.
Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: Adult Disability Homes (ADHs) provide residential care for adults with disabilities who have no alternative accommodation. As of December 2025, there are 11 Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF)-funded ADHs with a total capacity of about 1,500 places, most of which operate at utilisation rates of over 80%, and 100 individuals on the waitlist. ADH capacity increased by about 300 places in 2022, and MSF will be adding a new facility by 2030.
Adult Disability Hostels (ADHLs) provide accommodation and residential-based training for adults with disabilities who do not require institutional care but are unable to live with their families. As of December 2025, there are three MSF-funded ADHLs with a total capacity of about 130 places, with utilisation rates of 80% to 90%, and 75 individuals on the waitlist.
We are piloting community-based support services to provide alternatives to residential care, such as the Enabled Living Programme, which commenced in December 2025, and the Home Support Programme pilot, which will commence in the second half of 2026. Together, these pilots are expected to support up to 250 persons with disabilities.