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Boost pool of public rental housing to cater to changing demands: WP MP Louis Chua

Tham Yuen-C
Senior Political Correspondent
- PUBLISHED
NOV 2, 2021, 10:52 PM SGT
SINGAPORE - Home ownership is more of a preference and not a superior option to renting, and the Government should significantly increase its stock of rental flats across all flat sizes to cater to the changing aspirations of Singaporeans, said Workers' Party MP Louis Chua (Sengkang GRC) in Parliament Tuesday (Nov 2).
He called on the Government to create a viable and expanded public rental scheme so that people can choose to rent instead of own Housing Board flats.
But Senior Minister of State for National Development Sim Ann said mainstream rental represents a significant departure from Singapore's public housing policy and principles, and could reshape social norms and weaken communities.
"Because unlike home ownership, where people sink their roots, rentals are more transitory. This is not something we will embark on lightly without deep consideration," she noted in her reply.
Mr Chua had made the proposals in an adjournment motion - which allows MPs to delve into a topic of their choice for 20 minutes - on the topic: Beyond home ownership: Supporting diverse aspirations through rental housing.
Based on the HDB's latest annual report, there were 63,773 rental flats as at March this year compared to 1.02 million sold flats.