Homelessness

From Social Collaborative Singapore
Jump to: navigation, search

Definitions and Scope

Target Population: homeless families

90% of all public flats are owned (HDB)

Those families in the interim rental housing scheme

Some may be in transnational marriages

Length of homelessness: Count the time people are in IRHS or include time when they are looking for a place? Is homelessness absence of roof over head, or more than that?

Reasons: Financial Family conflict

[identify target group and define who is included or excluded in this category: you want to get it just right: not too broad that it includes those you may not want to include, and not too narrow that it excludes those you want to help. You might be too exclusive: e.g. defining ‘vulnerable’ seniors as ‘low-income’, but you may want to include those without family support. Therefore, you may want to define vulnerable as ‘poor and/or with low family support’. You might be too inclusive: e.g. ‘latchkey kids’ may include those who have working parents, or those with serious behavioural problems.]

Client Segments

[Eg. For at risk youth, some could have behavioural problems and be beyond parental control. Others could merely be disengaged and bored in school. Because it seems like different engagement strategies can be customized to these sub-types, it may make sense to segmentize.]

Size of the Problem

[Size of the universe (size of total potential need/demand for services)]

For the homeless, the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) reported that 93 families were admitted to shelters in 2016 compared with 144 in 2013 [(http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/where-the-displaced-seek-refuge Tai, 2017)]. 71 homeless individuals moved into transitional shelters, compared with 49 in 2013. Another 105 were sent to welfare homes last year. [(http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/where-the-displaced-seek-refuge Tai, 2017)].

[Size of expressed need (those receiving services and on waitlist)]

Desired impact for target group

Concept of home (European typology on homelessness and housing exclusion, ETHOS)

Struggles the homeless face


  1. Ignorant Inequality
  2. Simplistic Stereotypes
  3. Meritocratic Mobility


Destitute Persons Act 1989 - Singapore Statutes Online (agc.gov.sg)

How can we help?

As an individual:

- Do no harm to the homeless

Don't call the authorities on the homeless person before seeking for his/her permission

- Offer some food

Treat him/her as an equal human being. Show sincerity and respect to the other person

- Listen to understand, not solve

Sometimes, he/she is not looking for help but simply a friend to chat with

- Non-monetary help first

Refrain giving money directly to the homeless. Help him/her top up his/her ezlink cards / mobile cards or buying food for him/her.

- Point him/her to a Family Service Centre

Encourage him/her to go to the nearest Family Service Centre. Offer to accompany them there if it is possible.

- Respect their Privacy

Avoid taking photos of the homeless to post on social media without their explicit permission and understanding of social media. Their locations need to be kept confidential from the authorities.

Needs of homeless

Need for privacy

  • Desired Outcome: To keep their location confidential from the authorities
  • Synopsis: [To insert]
  • Statistics: [To insert]
Existing Programmes Gaps & Their Causes Possible Solutions
Category A
Category B
Category C
Homeless Hearts of Singapore
  • insert
  • insert
City of Good
  • insert
  • insert
Methodist Welfare Services
  • insert
  • insert

[Insert Need Area / Desired Outcome]

  • Desired Outcome: [To insert]
  • Synopsis: [To insert]
  • Statistics: [To insert]
Existing Programmes Gaps & Their Causes Possible Solutions
Category A Residents of IRHS typically don't consider the rental flat as their 'home'

They are housed yet feel homeless

Category B
Category C
Category A Programmes
  • insert
  • insert
Category B Programmes
  • insert
  • insert
Category C Programmes
  • insert
  • insert

[Insert Need Area / Desired Outcome]

  • Desired Outcome: [To insert]
  • Synopsis: [To insert]
  • Statistics: [To insert]
Existing Programmes Gaps & Their Causes Possible Solutions
Category A
Category B
Category C
Category A Programmes
  • insert
  • insert
Category B Programmes
  • insert
  • insert
Category C Programmes
  • insert
  • insert

[Insert Need Area / Desired Outcome]

  • Desired Outcome: [To insert]
  • Synopsis: [To insert]
  • Statistics: [To insert]
Existing Programmes Gaps & Their Causes Possible Solutions
Category A
Category B
Category C
Category A Programmes
  • insert
  • insert
Category B Programmes
  • insert
  • insert
Category C Programmes
  • insert
  • insert

[Insert Need Area / Desired Outcome]

  • Desired Outcome: [To insert]
  • Synopsis: [To insert]
  • Statistics: [To insert]
Existing Programmes Gaps & Their Causes Possible Solutions
Category A
Category B
Category C
Category A Programmes
  • insert
  • insert
Category B Programmes
  • insert
  • insert
Category C Programmes
  • insert
  • insert



Catholic Welfare Services

http://www.catholicwelfare.org.sg/

[insert organization name]

Insert web link