This seminar by Qixian Zhang focuses on the housing model in Singapore, tracing its historical development, recent changes, and the reasons why the country has been able to maintain affordability, achieve wide coverage of public housing, and sustain its housing finance system over the long term. Using a mixed-methods approach, both quantitative and qualitative research findings will be presented through primary and secondary data analysis. The seminar will draw on data collected from local scholars, housing professionals, and residents through research interviews, offering a comprehensive perspective on Singapore’s housing system.
Beyond this, the seminar will compare Singapore and the United Kingdom. While both countries share certain cultural and historical similarities, they differ significantly in the structure and operation of their housing finance sectors. Particular attention will be given to Singapore’s financial system, which enables the provision of targeted grants to different eligible groups. This mechanism helps maintain affordability in public housing ownership while generating sufficient revenue independently, rather than relying heavily on government subsidies. Grants for home ownership, affordable social rent, and maintenance fee support will be discussed to illustrate how the system functions in practice.
The seminar will also highlight some of the more controversial aspects of Singapore’s housing policies and their practical implementation. By presenting the success story of Singapore’s public housing strategy, the seminar aims to raise questions and policy suggestions relevant to the UK housing sector. Key challenges to be addressed include affordability pressures faced by tenants and homebuyers, long waiting lists for social housing, imbalances between supply and demand, and the lived experiences of residents. Ultimately, the seminar seeks to identify potential lessons and solutions that could inform housing policy in the UK.