Plans to Build More Complexes with Integrated Inter-generational Care Facilities
Ministry of National DevelopmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Mr Yip Hon Weng’s inquiry regarding plans for more complexes with integrated inter-generational care facilities to facilitate bonding and support the sandwiched generation. Minister for National Development Desmond Lee stated that HDB collaborates with various agencies to co-locate childcare and eldercare facilities in new developments and standalone buildings. He highlighted Kampung Admiralty as an example of integrating housing, healthcare, and childcare, with future opportunities depending on local needs and funding. Furthermore, the “Designing For Life” roadmap will situate these facilities near three-generation playgrounds to further promote interaction between different age groups. These planning initiatives aim to enhance convenience for residents while fostering greater cross-generation bonding within the community.
Transcript
13 Mr Yip Hon Weng asked the Minister for National Development whether there are plans to build more complexes with integrated inter-generational care facilities like eldercare and childcare in the community to facilitate cross-generation bonding and make it more convenient for sandwiched generations to have their children and parents cared for in the same place.
Mr Desmond Lee: HDB works closely with the relevant Ministries and Government agencies, such as MOH, the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA), MSF and the People's Association (PA), to plan and provide Social Communal Facilities (SCFs), including childcare and eldercare facilities, in new public housing developments.
To provide opportunities for intergenerational bonding and greater convenience for our residents to meet the care needs of both the young and old, HDB co-locates the childcare and eldercare facilities where possible, such as in the multi-storey carparks or standalone community facilities buildings of new Build-To-Order (BTO) developments.
Together with the various agencies, HDB and URA also explore co-locating various SCFs and other facilities within a single complex. One such example is Kampung Admiralty, which integrates housing for the elderly with an Active Ageing Hub and childcare centre, as well as other healthcare, commercial and community facilities. We will continue to explore such co-location opportunities, taking into consideration the local context and needs, availability of a suitable location, and the timelines and funding availabilities of the various co-locating agencies.
Going forward, as part of HDB's recently launched "Designing For Life" roadmap, more childcare and eldercare facilities will also be located close to precinct facilities like three-generation playgrounds to facilitate inter-generational bonding and interaction.