• Since its establishment in 1960, HDB has been responsible for building affordable and good-quality public housing.
• HDB flats are categorised according to the number of rooms in the flat, with the living room counting as one room.
• From 1960 to 1965, about 40% of public housing flats were 1-room flats. At that time, public flats were only for rent. The monthly rent for 1-room flats was S$20.
• According to the Census of Population in 2020, 6.5% of Singaporeans live in 1-room and 2-room flats.
• Under the current Public Rental Scheme, 1-room flats can be rented out to only two occupants.
• As at 2022, if a family’s monthly income is below S$800, the rent for a 1-room flat will range from S$26 to S$123. If a family’s monthly income is between S$800 and S$1,500, the rent will range from S$90 to S$205.
• The floor area of a 1-room flat is typically less than 36 square metres. In addition to the bedroom-cum-living room, there is a kitchen and a bathroom.
• In 2020, the Ministry of National Development, the Ministry of Health and HDB jointly announced the launch of Community Care Apartments, which are 1-room flats available for sale to seniors aged 65 and above. The first batch of around 160 units were built at Bukit Batok West Avenue 9 and were designed primarily as “senior-friendly” apartments.
• Community Care Apartments have a similar floor area as 1-room flats, at about 32 square metres. Buyers can choose to take up a lease ranging from 15 to 35 years, with prices ranging from S$40,000 to S$100,000.

Last year, each member of families living in 1-room and 2-room flats received an average of S$10,548 from the Government through subsidies, rebates and assistance grants – more than double the amount received by other families. (Lianhe Zaobao, 21/2/2020)