Effectiveness of Joint Singles Scheme Operator-Run Pilot in Mitigating Conflicts among Co-tenants in HDB's Public Rental Scheme
Ministry of National DevelopmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim’s inquiry into the effectiveness of the Joint Singles Scheme Operator-Run (JSS-OR) pilot in mitigating co-tenant conflicts and its adoption among the homeless. Minister for National Development Desmond Lee stated the pilot has assisted 590 tenants and was expanded in September 2023 to accommodate 1,000 individuals across three sites. He noted that social service agency operators resolve almost all disputes through mediation and flexible flat-sharing arrangements, making the model more effective than standard co-tenancy. Assessment of the pilot relies on take-up rates, resolution success, and feedback to ensure the scheme provides stable rental housing. HDB also works with the Ministry of Social and Family Development and the PEERS network to assist individuals with no other housing support.
Transcript
38 Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim asked the Minister for National Development in relation to the Joint Singles Scheme Operator-Run (JSS-OR) pilot under HDB's Public Rental Scheme (PRS) for flats, what is the Ministry's assessment of the current effectiveness of JSS-OR in mitigating conflicts among co-tenants which conflicts have been identified as the primary impediment discouraging homeless individuals from accepting PRS offers.
39 Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim asked the Minister for National Development in relation to the Joint Singles Scheme Operator-Run pilot under HDB's Public Rental Scheme for flats (a) what is the adoption rate of public rental flats by the homeless demographic (i) before the pilot's implementation and (ii) after its expansion in September 2023; and (b) over the next two years, what are the key performance indicators set for the expanded pilot.
Mr Desmond Lee: We launched the Joint Singles Scheme Operator-Run (JSS-OR) pilot in December 2021 to allow low-income singles to apply for a public rental flat without having to first find a flatmate. The Housing and Development Board (HDB) appoints a social service agency (SSA) as the operator for each site to manage the flat-sharing arrangements and mediate conflicts between tenants. In September 2023, the pilot was expanded to another three sites able to accommodate 1,000 tenants in total. HDB has assisted a total of 590 JSS-OR tenants so far.
In assessing the JSS-OR model, we will review the take-up rate, the resolution rate for co-tenant conflicts and feedback from tenants and operators.
Thus far, the JSS-OR pilot has been progressing well. The model has generally been effective in mitigating co-tenant conflicts. Unlike the Joint Singles Scheme (JSS), in which co-tenants may face difficulties resolving conflicts on their own, the on-site SSA operators can mediate conflicts early and, where necessary, change the flat sharing arrangements. As such, almost all co-tenant disputes reported to the operators have been resolved.
HDB will continue working closely with the Ministry of Social and Family Development and other partners in the Partners Engaging and Empowering Rough Sleepers network to assist homeless persons in securing stable housing, which includes public rental housing for those with no other housing options and no family support.