ABSTRACT

This chapter identifies a range of new housing challenges, unanticipated in the early years of the nation-state. It presents a broad description of the Singapore housing market and key features of its public housing landscape, and reviews theoretical perspectives on housing lifestyles. In the early days, Housing and Development Board (HDB) housing was, from the government’s perspective, about being able to meet a basic need and, from citizens’ perspective, about being able to access an affordable and decent living space to call home and to raise a family. However, with rising affluence and expectations, HDB housing has become increasingly more than just a roof over one’s head, even for low-income households. In response, the HDB has furnished the ground levels of many public housing blocks with centres for senior activities as well as with centres for dementia day-care and rehabilitation. HDB’s success as a national institution is widely recognized by Singaporeans and internationally.