Good Practices and Innovations in Public Governance 2003-2011

2008 Category 1: Singapore
yearly Sample Household Survey). Home ownership has become an indistinguishable
norm from Singapore’s public housing programme. Beyond providing physical
shelter, the home ownership scheme, buttressed by community-focused housing policies,
has played an important part in Singapore’s nation-building and contributed to
the overall economic, social and political stability of Singapore.
First, owning a home meant that Singaporeans were more committed to the country’s
long-term survival and interests. Since each family has an asset to defend and benefit
from enhancement in value of their home, home ownership contributed to both social
well-being and stability.
Second, home ownership helped to build strong work ethics. Homeowners were
more likely to work hard to finance the purchase of their home, thereby contributing
to greater productivity and economic growth for Singapore.
Third, home ownership helped to root the people physically and emotionally, as there
would be a greater sense of belonging and identity with the nation.
Fourth, home ownership helped to instil a sense of pride among homeowners for
their living environment. Problems of poor maintenance and upkeep of the housing
estates would be less likely to occur. This prevented public housing estates from degenerating
into urban slums.
Finally, home ownership reduced the need for heavy government financing to provide
public rental housing. This ensured the sustainability of Singapore’s public housing to
the benefits of Singaporeans. HDB estates have become a common point of emotional
reference for most Singaporeans. This “HDB Experience” bonds Singaporeans, in the
same way that National Service and the education system have created a common
experience among Singaporeans of all races and from all walks of life. Singaporeans
of different races and socio-economic groups could have the opportunities to mix and
interact with one another, thereby fostering ethnic integration and social cohesion.
At its inception, HDB was responsible for the entire process of public housing provision,
from planning and design to the removal of squatters, land assembly, construction
(with building works by private building contractors) and equitable housing
allocation. Upon completion of the flats, HDB followed through with the flat
allocation, management and maintenance of the housing estates. In 1989, Town
Councils were formed to take over the management and maintenance of the common
areas in HDB estates. In 2003, with the corporatisation of the Building & Development
Division of HDB (comprising architectural, engineering and project
management expertise), the design and development of HDB flats, implementation
of upgrading programmes, procurement of construction services and resources,
project management, etc., were outsourced to private consultants, including Surba-
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