Minister for Social and Family Development Mr Desmond Lee said that his ministry together with the Ministry of National Development will launch ComLink, which will offer more integrated and coordinated support for families living at rental flats.

“Community partners can also come together to assist these families more holistically. Most importantly, ComLink will develop a sense of community and mutual help, with neighbours supporting one another in their journeys,” said Mr Lee.

Following up, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for National Development Sun Xueling announced that the Housing and Development Board will set up a dedicated team to help rental households achieve eventual home ownership. Ms Sun said the Home Ownership support team (HST) will provide assistance to families who are ready for home ownership. The HST will be set up later this year, and aims to help tenants navigate home ownership policies and processes.

“We agree that public rental should only be temporary for tenants who are work-capable, and are therefore increasing support to help tenants progress towards home ownership,” Ms Sun said. For families with other concerns, Ms Sun said HDB will be providing spaces for the Social and Family Ministry to establish social service hubs near rental flats to offer localised programmes and services.

Furthermore, MSF announced that about 4,000 households are expected to benefit from the enhanced ComCare scheme which takes effect in July. increase in cash payout is for beneficiaries to meet their living expenses.

More resources and capabilities in the social service

The Tote Board will pump in $580 million to fund critical social service programmes in the next four years, to ensure sustained funding for vulnerable groups to continue to receive support that they need.  

Mr Lee said that these funds will enable voluntary welfare organisations to focus on delivering services and develop new programmes to serve areas of need.

To develop the capability of social service professionals, the Ministry will build on the Skills Framework for Social Service, and set up a Social Service SkillsFuture Tripartite Taskforce to co-ordinate and drive skills development in the sector.