One-room Rental Flats Accommodating More Than Three Occupants and Measure to Minimise Spread of Diseases in Overcrowded Flats

35 Mr Don Wee asked the Minister for National Development (a) how many one-room rental flats under HDB's Public Rental Scheme accommodate three or more occupants including the listed tenants and occupiers; and (b) what measures are in place to minimise the spread of diseases in overcrowded flats.

Mr Desmond Lee: About 2,300 or 9% of households living in 1-room public rental flats have a household size of three or more. Most public rental households who have three or more members live in 2-room flats. Households who have grown in size since they entered public rental can request to move to a 2-room flat. Those that form two nuclei, such as grandparents living with parents and children, can apply for two rental flats and request for the flats to be in the same block, subject to vacancies. On a case-by-case basis, we will also be prepared to offer larger families a 3-room rental flat.

HDB carries out regular tenancy inspections to ensure that only approved occupants live in the rental flats, and that the flats are well maintained and in good condition. When HDB encounters households who may need additional assistance, HDB will link them up with MSF Social Service Offices, grassroots organisations, and/or social service agencies.

During the Circuit Breaker period, HDB conducted additional checks on rental blocks to ensure the general cleanliness of common areas and that safe distancing measures were adhered to.