Support of Community Integration Activities at Condominiums
Ministry of Culture, Community and YouthSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns plans to increase support for community integration activities at condominiums given the rising numbers of rental units and permanent residents. Miss Cheryl Chan Wei Ling raised the inquiry, to which Minister Chan Chun Sing, for the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, outlined the People’s Association’s efforts to promote cohesion across all residential estates. The Minister highlighted the expansion of Neighbourhood Committees (NCs) to 183 and the implementation of the OneConnect Programme to facilitate resident-led estate improvements and community solutions. He noted that NCs also partner with grassroots organisations on various initiatives to engage residents, including those from less privileged backgrounds. Finally, residents are encouraged to participate in interest groups and courses at Community Clubs to foster social bonds and meet their diverse needs.
Transcript
27 Miss Cheryl Chan Wei Ling asked the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth whether there are plans to increase efforts or support for community integration activities at condominiums given the rising trend of rental units and permanent residents residing in these compounds.
Mr Chan Chun Sing (for the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth): The People’s Association (PA) promotes social cohesion amongst residents from all races, age groups and socio-economic backgrounds, including both public and private estates.
To enable private estate residents to be involved in community activities, PA has helped to facilitate private estate residents to form more Neighbourhood Committees (NCs). There are currently 183 NCs, up from 112 in 2011. We will continue to expand the number of NCs as necessary to deepen their engagement with the wider grassroots network.
Besides organising activities and forming interest groups to bring residents together, NCs also facilitate residents' involvement in their own communities via the OneConnect Programme. Through this programme, residents can offer suggestions for estate improvement and formulate community solutions to tackle common issues, for example, to eliminate dengue breeding spots. NCs also partner various grassroots and community organisations to reach out to the residents, including the less privileged, through various meaningful initiatives.
PA also offers many community programmes and courses at the Community Clubs/Centres to meet the different interests and needs of residents, including those living in condominiums. All residents are welcome to participate in these activities where they can get to know their neighbours and community better.