Opinion //

Every child who’s had to go through a rental flat home deserves better. Much better.

But first, we need to see the problem.

Channel News Asia in Singapore usually produces good documentaries. And by usually, I mean close to always. So it wasn’t much of a surprise then that I start off some days by watching one of theirs. And so it happened to me to watch one of their acclaimed series on forgotten people in the metropolis that I live in — rental flat kids.

Unlike kids in other countries, Singaporean kids really have nowhere to go if their families are at the very bottom. Singapore is about 0.59% the size of New York — but with New York prices for everything, like housing. Most of the population live in high-rise apartments. The richer ones can afford their own property. But the ones we don’t see the most are rental flat kids.

Most underprivileged families rent their flats directly from the government. Their rent for a small one-room flat (government jargon for one bedroom, one living room and one kitchen) is dependent on their income and can go as low as SGD 30–120. The sole problem, however, is that most of these children come from big families, numbering anywhere from 2 kids to 5 or more.

One can scarcely feel their pain, then, when one imagines 5 kids growing up in a flat that barely stretches to 485 sqft, around the size of a tiny studio apartment usually purchased by singles or couples for their personal use. Now think of 7 people (2 adults, 5 children) squeezed into that space.

Many of these children sleep on triple bunk beds or movable mattresses wherever there happens to be space, some with their parents in one room. This is the problem.

The Big Big Problem

Children in rental flats often have limited control over their living environment, since they don’t have their own room. They do not have the freedom to decorate their rooms, rearrange furniture, or make changes that reflect their personal preferences and identities. The lack of privacy and a sense of ownership over their living space can impact their autonomy and self-expression, leading to problems such as anxiety, depression, and lack of self-confidence when interacting with their peers. Cramped living conditions and inadequate play areas can also hinder children’s physical development and limit their opportunities for indoor activities, exercise, and social interactions. The same problem is prevalent in Hong Kong, where many families live in shoestring apartments.

Living in rental accommodation may also introduce a sense of insecurity and instability into a child’s life. Frequent moves between rental flats can disrupt their routines, friendships, and sense of belonging. Uncertainty about the future and the constant fear of eviction can create anxiety and stress, negatively impacting a child’s emotional well-being and overall development.

Problems arising in the long-term

Rental housing may also contribute to educational disadvantages for children. Unstable living situations can lead to frequent school changes, disrupting continuity in their education. Moving between different neighbourhoods or school districts can result in a lack of stability in their academic progress and limited access to quality educational resources. Additionally, the financial constraints faced by families in rental housing may limit their ability to afford private tutoring or additional educational support. Many children in rental housing may be required to contribute to the household income, typically taking school days off to work part-time, hence hindering their holistic education and development.

Children living in rental flats may further face social stigma and exclusion from their peers. Socioeconomic disparities and housing inequality can create barriers to forming meaningful social connections. Many rental flat kids are too ashamed to bring their friends to their house to play, often giving excuses such as “there is nothing to do there” or “their parents don’t allow bringing friends over”. The lack of a permanent address or living in neighbourhoods with concentrated poverty can also result in social isolation, which can impact a child’s social development and self-esteem.

In the long term, growing up in rental flats can have many implications for children. Research suggests that children from disadvantaged housing backgrounds are more likely to experience poorer health outcomes, lower educational attainment, and limited economic opportunities in adulthood. The cycle of poverty and limited access to stable housing can perpetuate across generations if the underlying issues are not adequately addressed.

How can we help?

However, such problems can be addressed with sufficient government aid and oversight. Governments and organizations can focus on developing affordable and larger housing options specifically targeted towards low-income families, where there are needs to provide for their children. Implementing housing assistance programs that offer subsidies, rent vouchers, or rental assistance can also help alleviate the financial strain on rental flat families. These initiatives can make housing more affordable and provide stability for children by ensuring they have a secure place to call home.

Recognising the educational challenges faced by rental flat kids, educational support programs can be established. These may include after-school programs, tutoring services, mentorship initiatives, or scholarships to provide additional resources and opportunities for academic success. This can also come in the form of establishing community centres within rental flat neighbourhoods that can serve as safe spaces for children and families to access social services, recreational activities, and support networks. These centres can also provide resources for job training, healthcare, counselling, and other essential services.

Breaking the cycle

Ultimately, the best solution is aid in helping these families break the cycle of poverty. Addressing income inequality and limited employment opportunities is crucial for breaking the cycle of poverty for rental flat families. This involves advocating for policies that promote economic growth, job creation, and equal access to education and training.

As a nation, however, we need to first recognise that such a problem exists. Only when we do, then can we progress to making the situation better.