Housing Support for Families with Members with Special Needs
Ministry of National DevelopmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns whether the Government will consider additional housing support across public and private housing, such as greater grant flexibility and accessibility modifications, and adequately recognise the long-term caregiving needs of families with members with special needs, as raised by Ms Valerie Lee. In response, Minister Chee Hong Tat outlined existing support measures for persons with disabilities (PwDs) and their families. To enable mutual family care and support, the Housing and Development Board offers initiatives such as the Family Care Scheme and the Proximity Housing Grant. Home accessibility and mobility are supported through subsidies under the Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE) and EASE (Private Housing) programmes, as well as SG Enable's Assistive Technology Fund. Additionally, the Ministry of Social and Family Development and SG Enable provide community-based caregiving support and will roll out the Home Support Programme later this year to help PwDs live independently.
Transcript
21 Ms Valerie Lee asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether the Government will consider additional housing support for families with members with special needs, across both public and private housing, including greater flexibility in housing grants, accessibility modifications, space and location; and (b) whether existing policies adequately recognise their higher and potentially long-term caregiving needs.
Mr Chee Hong Tat: The Government recognises the important role that families play in caring for persons with disabilities (PwDs), including those with special needs, and supports them through a range of measures to meet their different needs.
The Housing and Development Board has various schemes to help extended families live with or near one another for mutual care and support, such as the Family Care Scheme and the Proximity Housing Grant.
To improve mobility and safety within homes, the Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE) and EASE (Private Housing) programmes subsidise the installation of senior-friendly fittings, such as grab bars and ramps. Eligible PwDs may also tap on SG Enable's Assistive Technology Fund, which subsidises assistive technology devices and equipment that help them live more independently in their homes.
In addition, the Ministry of Social and Family Development and SG Enable support PwDs to live in the community by providing community-based services, caregiving support and training for their family members, and community living options to alleviate caregiving demands on families. For example, the Home Support Programme will be rolled out later this year to help PwDs build the skills to live independently in their own homes.