MSF reports 40% decrease in rough sleepers, but temporary shelter occupancy increases sixfold from 2019 to 2021

Singapore’s Ministry of Social and Family Development has reported a significant decrease in rough sleepers from 921 in 2019 to 530 in 2022. However, a veteran blogger in Singapore, Leong Sze Hian, has pointed out that while the number of rough sleepers decreased, the occupancy in temporary shelters had increased by more than sixfold, from 65 to 420, from 2019-2021. This means that only half the story is being told, and the full statistics on homelessness in Singapore are yet to be released.

82-year-old elderly spends a year living at HDB void deck bench; netizens offer assistance

An 82-year-old man in Singapore, Yip Woon Cheong, has been living on a bench in the void deck of an HDB flat for a year, after his separation from his wife and being left solely dependent on government financial assistance of around S$100 a month. Mr Yip, who had never begged anyone for money and had saved S$1,000 in his bank account, said he had worked until 60, after which he depended on his CPF when he ran out of funds. Despite his children not helping him, he has no regrets and is moving into a rental flat with the help of volunteers and individuals who donated necessities and appliances to him.

COVID-19: Shelters for the homeless hit capacity as “circuit breaker” measures took effect in S’pore

Homelessness is inevitable for some people, especially when they are unable to…

Over 1,000 people presently classified as homeless, sleeping on streets in S’pore: LKYSPP study

Between 921 and 1,050 people are currently classified as homeless and sleeping…

The problem of homelessness in Singapore isn’t due to laziness or a lack of effort

Posting on Facebook this Tuesday, sociologist and member of the Worker’s Party…

Homeless in Singapore due to technicality

Zia is a 42-year old divorcee with five children. Four of the…

A great time to be alive

The Eleventh Hour (see below) is a documentary on the environmental crisis. I…

Raiding the homeless – part two

“I do feel, rather strongly, that the minister for MCYS is unfit to take charge of a ministry which is suppose to care for those in need if his ministry is more concerned about its public image than in genuinely helping those in need.”

Help the homeless in Singapore!

Shelter for the homeless to raise funds for homeless in S’pore.

Sleepless in Singapore

The country is ill-equipped to cope with a possible rise in homelessness. TOC Editorial.