HDB survey shows stronger family bonds among households

Key Concepts

• Proximity Housing: The trend of young couples choosing to live near their parents.
• Mutual Care and Support: The reciprocal benefits of families living in close proximity, including childcare, eldercare, and practical assistance.
• HDB (Housing & Development Board) Survey: A quinquennial survey of public housing flats in Singapore, now including singles and focusing on resident satisfaction and community bonds.
• Community Bonds: The strength of relationships and mutual support among residents within a neighborhood.
• Right-sizing: Seniors adjusting their housing to smaller, more manageable units.
• Neighborly Relations: The quality of interactions and support between adjacent households.

HDB Survey Findings: Young Couples and Parental Proximity

A recent Housing and Development Board (HDB) survey, conducted every five years and covering over 7,000 public housing flats, reveals a significant trend: an increasing number of young couples are choosing to live near their parents. This proximity is identified as crucial for strengthening family bonds, enabling mutual care and support.

Key Statistics:

• Approximately 64% of younger couples are now living with or near their parents, a notable increase from 57% in the 2018 survey.
• When families live nearby, three in four young couples and parents visit each other weekly. This contrasts with fewer than half of those living further apart.
• Satisfaction levels regarding proximity are high, with at least eight in ten parents and married children expressing happiness with their close living arrangements.

Case Study: Hmon Nadan and Family

Hmon Nadan and her husband prioritized finding a new home within a kilometer of both their parents. After fulfilling the minimum occupation period for their first flat, they moved to Topayo, near her parents in Sinming and her in-laws at Brad View. Hmon emphasizes the transformative impact of this decision, especially after the birth of their second child. She recounts how, with their first child, parental visits were infrequent due to travel time and busy schedules, leading to a feeling of growing distance. With parents nearby, they now receive invaluable support with childcare, such as fetching children from school, and assistance with home repairs. Hmon also highlights the emotional benefits, stating it makes them feel younger and allows for more frequent playtime with their grandchildren. Weekend get-togethers and shared meals are now regular occurrences, fostering deeper conversations and a stronger sense of family cohesion. Hmon notes that she did not experience this level of familial closeness in her own childhood.

Benefits of Proximity:

The survey data and personal accounts underscore the dual benefits of this trend:

• Childcare Support: Grandparents can assist with looking after grandchildren.
• Eldercare Support: Families can provide support to aging parents and grandparents.
• Emotional Well-being: Increased interaction leads to a stronger sense of belonging and reduced feelings of isolation.

This positive trend is attributed, in part, to government policies such as the proximity housing grant and priority schemes, designed to facilitate family members staying close to one another.

HDB Survey Findings: Singles and Seniors

For the first time, the HDB survey has included singles with one-person homes, a growing demographic.

Singles:

• Most singles surveyed, particularly those below 35 years old and living in four-room or bigger flats, maintain strong family ties and express a willingness to support their parents even after moving out.
• Around four in five of this group do not intend to get married.
• Approximately two-thirds of those intending to remain single plan to move out eventually, with the majority preferring to buy their own units rather than rent or live with others.

Seniors:

• About one-third of all HDB residences are senior households, where the main decision-maker is aged 65 or older. This is an increase from a quarter in 2018.
• More than eight in ten seniors intend to continue living in their existing flats.
• Regarding right-sizing, there has been a significant shift in preferences:
  • Preference for two-room flats has increased by almost 10 percentage points since 2018.
  • Preference for four-room flats or bigger has decreased by more than 8 percentage points over the same period.

HDB Survey Findings: Community Bonds and Neighborly Relations

The survey also highlights a strong sense of community and neighborly support within HDB estates.

Key Statistics:

• More than nine in ten residents are satisfied with their neighborly relations.
• The proportion of HDB residents stepping up to contribute to their communities has risen significantly, from around 40% in 2018 to nearly 70% in the latest survey.

Case Study: Kavita Genu and Neighborly Support

Kavita Genu experienced a family crisis earlier this year, forcing her to juggle parenting, work, and household chores. Her neighbors stepped in, transforming casual greetings into genuine connections and support. She recounts an instance where her son, while watching neighbors play badminton, interrupted their game. Instead of frustration, the neighbor welcomed her son and taught him how to use a badminton racket. Kavita felt deeply supported during this stressful time. She is now planning to organize a Christmas party to reciprocate this kindness and foster a sense of mutual reliance among families who might need help with errands or childcare.

Everyday Contributions:

Much of the support observed occurs through everyday activities, such as:

• Keeping common areas clean.
• Watering a neighbor's plants.
• Offering assistance with errands.
• Minding a neighbor's child for a few hours.

Residents like Kavita emphasize that knowing their neighbors well allows them to understand each other's needs and offer timely assistance. Communal spaces are recognized as vital for facilitating both chance encounters and planned gatherings, fostering closeness.

HDB is committed to continuing its efforts in refining estate designs to promote social interactions and strengthen neighborly bonds.

Synthesis and Conclusion

The HDB survey underscores a positive trajectory in Singapore's public housing estates, characterized by strengthening family ties through proximity, a growing sense of community, and increased resident engagement. The rising trend of young couples living near their parents highlights the perceived value of mutual care and support, facilitated by government policies. Simultaneously, the survey acknowledges evolving demographics with the inclusion of singles and the changing needs of seniors, particularly in terms of housing preferences for right-sizing. Crucially, the significant increase in residents actively contributing to their communities and the high satisfaction with neighborly relations point to a robust and cohesive social fabric within HDB estates. HDB's ongoing commitment to estate design further aims to nurture these vital social connections.