According to Community Development, Youth and Sports Minister Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, no child in Singapore will be left without a home, and officers will intervene to ensure this if a family is in danger of losing their home. This is in response to a question raised in Parliament over the issue of homelessness in the country.
The Ministry has helped 148 families through its network of social workers in the past three years. In that time, 107 families have found alternative housing.
Families were given options depending on their needs. They were either referred to temporary private shelters or rented public flats, or purchased flats within their means.
Dr. Balakrishnan said the government-funded welfare homes for the destitute were the last resort for those who had no family, and no job. However, the Ministry was most concerned about the effect of homelessness on children, he added.
“I have taken such an active stand to make sure we do not have people camping out on beaches, or parks or void decks, even though these may be safe and indeed, sometimes even pleasant areas for adults,” he said.
“These are not good and safe areas for children. I have insisted that (to) anyone with children, they must be put in a proper home; they must continue to go to school and they must continue to get access to good food and good hygiene.”
“And if any family has difficulty providing these things to the children, then MCYS will step in, and we will step in assertively if need be, in order to protect children," he added.