Commentary: Even with million-dollar HDB flats, housing continues to be reasonably priced for the common particular person
NEW HOUSING CHALLENGES
Past affordability, policymakers in the present day must deal with a inhabitants vastly completely different from the early years. A multi-disciplinary strategy that co-opts business stakeholders is required to deal with challenges posed by demographic shifts, such because the rising variety of singles, low fertility and an ageing inhabitants.
How will we revise present family-centric housing insurance policies to satisfy the rising wants of singles with completely different consumption and funding patterns?
Increasing housing choices for older owners and retirees, together with the Lease Buyback Scheme, Silver Housing Bonus (SHB) and extra 2-Room Flexi items, is pressing on condition that extra residents will attain 65 years by 2030.
Amid an ageing inhabitants, extra aged folks may additionally want care assist close to their properties. Kampung Admiralty, Neighborhood Care Residences at Bukit Batok West and the pilot Queenstown Well being District supply new housing typologies that promote lively and wholesome ageing for older residents.
Assembly the demand for these new housing companies and desires would require extra fiscal funding from public coffers. Given restricted assets, policymakers should steadiness between offering customised housing wants for aged residents and making certain housing wants are nonetheless inside attain for the plenty.
Housing aspiration has been one of many social levers that helps push social mobility in Singapore. First-time homebuyers could worry lacking out on the housing market. Current occasions, similar to rising rates of interest and the potential of a recession in 2023, could eclipse such fears.
And but, they need to not chase their housing goals in any respect prices. Stretching their housing bills past their monetary means may hit them exhausting when the market upcycle reverses in course.
Professor Sing Tien Foo is Director of the Institute of Actual Property and City Research (IREUS), Nationwide College of Singapore (NUS). The views and opinions expressed listed here are these of the creator and don’t signify the views and opinions of NUS, its subsidiaries or associates.
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