24-07-2025
Housing a critical issue for youth who age out of care
[SINGAPORE] Adam (not his real name), was faced with the prospect of not having a home at the age of 21.
He admitted that the notion of not having a guaranteed place to sleep was a 'scary one'.
A Ministry of Social and Family Development report in 2024 indicated that around 500 children and adolescents in Singapore are in out-of-home residential care due to abuse or neglect.
While most eventually re-integrate with their families, a small number – around 30 a year – are unable to do so, and would age out into independent living by the time they turn 21 years old.
Cindy Ng, director of Melrose Home, Children's Aid Society (CAS), said: 'Thirty may seem like a small number, but each one represents a young person whose challenges ripple beyond themselves. As the years go by and this group grows, the impact – on their lives and the people around them – becomes even more significant. These are not isolated experiences; they shape our communities and ultimately, our society.'
Hence, the Thrive21+ was piloted in 2022 with partners such as CapitaLand Hope Foundation to support care leavers' transition into independent living was beneficial for this group of people, which includes Adam.
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Thrive21+ is a three-year long programme for this group, termed as care leavers, aged 17 and above. The programme aims to help them develop in the areas of educational attainment, asset-building, employment and financial literacy, among other things.
The project consists of a year-long independent living preparation (year 1) and a two-year housing programme (years 2 and 3).
Under the housing programme, participants rent an apartment together and co-pay the living expenses for years 2 and 3 with the support of social workers.
'This is to reduce (the) cliff effect for the care leavers as they re-integrate into society,' Ng added.
Towards the end of the programme for the inaugural batch of beneficiaries, a survey was conducted by Quantedge Foundation (QFS), in collaboration with Children's Aid Society, of Thrive21+, with a focus on the housing initiative component.
Survey findings announced on Wednesday (Jul 23) suggested that the housing programme has helped participants attain life skills in several areas. Notable improvements were observed in categories such as money management, health and housing.
'Crucially, the initiative has cushioned some of the shocks that come with transitioning to independent living, providing safety and stability for participants to get their footing right. Not worrying about accommodation costs also allowed participants to pursue their interests and focus on work,' stated the survey, titled Where Reintegration Is Not An Option.
The research, 'the first of its kind in Singapore – asks a crucial question: What happens when a young person leaves care but doesn't yet have a stable place to live?' said Alvin Goh, executive director of Children's Aid Society.
Improving lives
One of the ways suggested that the participants' lives can improve is through housing.
The report stated that the dynamics of the free market often do not favour vulnerable individuals such as care leavers as they tend to have fewer resources and support systems. In a tight property market, landlords can afford to be selective, preferring tenants who have a track record of reliability.
Eight survey respondents indicated that they were earning money (including allowance from National Service), with the average monthly income being S$1,137, and the median being S$800. This means they could expect to spend around 48 to 69 per cent of their income on rent alone.
This makes the financial cost of renting the most significant barrier facing care leavers seeking to rent, noted CAS staff interviewees.
'This is because care leavers can expect to pay S$538 per person in rent in the open market, minimally. In comparison, renters can expect to pay around S$800, minimally, for co-living spaces. In line with expectations, the survey respondents were generally less confident about being able to rent a unit in the private market.'
The study said that to effectively facilitate the transition of care leavers into independent living, it is essential to facilitate access to stable housing. Both government and community organisations can play a role in this.
'This could involve facilitating access to public rental housing, providing longer-term stable financial assistance, and partnerships with private landlords to ensure care leavers are given a chance to rent,' it stated.
'The goal is to create a system that proactively facilitates housing stability for care leavers so that they are not completely subjected to the vagaries of the free market.'
Minister for Education Desmond Lee, who is also patron of the organisation, said: 'The study's findings show that the journey of care leavers is rarely straightforward, and we need a sustained effort across all of society to support them to overcome the challenges they face.'
