# Initiative to help rough sleepers find co-tenants for rental flats among pilot projects given MSF funding

- **Source:** Channel NewsAsia
- **Published:** 2026-08-19T12:01:00.000Z
- **Author:** Charmaine Jacob
- **Original:** https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/homeless-rough-sleeper-msf-funding-jobs-housing-6328336
- **Topics:** Investment & Capital Markets

## Featured rationale

The matching initiative may improve public rental access and housing stability by addressing compatibility concerns, although only 39 per cent expressed interest in newer schemes.

## AI summary

MSF’s S$450,000 PATH fund will support 17 pilot projects, including matching rough sleepers with compatible co-tenants to jointly rent public rental flats.

## Original article

SINGAPORE: An initiative to match rough sleepers with one another so they can jointly rent a public rental flat is among the pilot projects to receive help under a new Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) fund. MSF announced on Wednesday (Aug 19) that 17 community-led projects will be piloted, spanning areas such as employment, housing, outreach, social reintegration and youth support. Of these, 11 will test new initiatives aimed at providing more tailored support for rough sleepers. This is the first tranche of projects under the S$450,000 (US$352,600) Partnership to Tackle Homelessness (PATH) fund, which aims to support initiatives that help homeless people. Rough sleepers are defined as individuals who sleep in public spaces, regardless of whether they have housing. This includes those without a home and those who have a home but are unable to return to it. The fund gives community organisations opportunities to pilot innovative approaches, test new solutions and contribute ideas shaped by their experiences working directly with rough sleepers. "These projects also recognise that helping someone move out of rough sleeping is not only about providing temporary accommodation," said MSF. "It is also about helping individuals restore stability in their lives, strengthen their relationships and develop the confidence, skills and support networks needed to remain stably housed." According to an MSF report in January, 496 rough sleepers were counted during a single-night street count on Jul 18, 2025, a slight decrease from the 530 in 2022. The next application window for the PATH fund will open in March 2027. The 17 projects were unveiled at the Partners Engaging and Empowering Rough Sleepers (PEERS) appreciation event on Wednesday. It was attended by Minister-in-charge of Social Services Integration Desmond Lee, Senior Minister of State of Social and Family Development Goh Pei Ming and Senior Parliamentary Secretary Eric Chua.

PILOT PROJECTS One such initiative aimed at helping rough sleepers find more permanent housing is the Common Ground – Joint Singles Scheme (JSS) Matching Programme. The scheme matches single rough sleepers who want to apply for a public rental flat with compatible co-tenants. This is intended to help them access housing more quickly while reducing the risk of shared living arrangements breaking down. Dr Steven Tham, executive director of Good News Community Services, told CNA that the organisation held its first matching event last month, where rough sleepers could meet and get to know one another better. Participants were given cards listing various behaviours and preferences, such as whether they were comfortable with sleeping late or loud music, and could indicate what they were willing or unwilling to accept in a potential co-tenant. “These are what we call the non-negotiables. And at the same time, they can indicate the things that they don’t mind. For example, a bit of untidiness, visitation, watching movies or singing aloud,” he added. This helped identify people with compatible living preferences and gave prospective co-tenants an opportunity to get to know each other before deciding whether to live together. “That helps them feel a little bit more confident and they will be willing to stay together,” Dr Tham said. “It is much better than randomly going to somebody … Because you have established some common ground for them to start off.” The Joint Singles Scheme (JSS) allows two singles to jointly rent a flat together. The JSS Operator-Run pilot allows singles to apply for a rental flat without first having to find a flatmate. Tenants will be assigned flatmates by a social service agency, taking into consideration each tenant’s profile, preferences and living habits. According to MSF’s report in January, over half of the respondents – 58 per cent – were aware of the launch of new public rental housing schemes such as the JSS Operator-Run pilot. When asked whether they had applied or would be keen to apply for these schemes, only 39 per cent said they were willing to. MSF said in the report that the new public rental housing models were well-received by some rough sleepers, but more could be done to raise awareness, given that many respondents were unaware or unwilling to consider these options.

Getting rough sleepers to take the first step and meet a potential co-tenant can be challenging, Dr Tham said. Some may also be reluctant to move into a shelter because they are unfamiliar with the process or have yet to build sufficient rapport with those reaching out to them. His team may approach and speak to them over several months to build trust. They would also explain the benefits of moving into a shelter, such as better hygiene facilities and a place to store their belongings. He added that support continues after they move into their new homes, with social workers keeping in touch with them and providing help if problems arise. “That gives them the assurance that if they still have issues, they have someone to consult,” Dr Tham said. EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT Another pilot initiative aims to help rough sleepers overcome barriers to employment. Associate director of Hope Initiative Alliance Joyder Ng recalled helping a rough sleeper staying at a temporary shelter to secure a job. He had undergone training for a security role but did not pass the assessment on his first attempt. A second attempt required him to undergo and pay for another round of training, but he did not have the money to do so. "We provide the shelter, but we don’t have additional donations. But we discussed it and decided to put it through and sponsor him for the second test," she said. He eventually passed the test, allowing him to secure employment. Ms Ng said: “Having a job, being able to support themselves, being able to earn and spend their own money is something that helps them see they are worthy and it’s meaningful for them.”

Building on such efforts, the team started MAPS – Micro-employment and Apprenticeship Pathways to Stability – to provide rough sleepers with tailored employment opportunities, from apprenticeships to micro-jobs. Ms Ng said the initiative is in the preparation phase and the organisation has reached out to potential employers, as well as job coaches and career counsellors. Ms Ng said the initiative is not simply about placing rough sleepers in work or expecting them to take long-term employment immediately. Instead, it aims to help them become work-ready, including through apprenticeships or part-time work. “Once they feel more comfortable and more confident about what they are doing, they can also pursue long-term employment with the employers,” she said. REFURBISHMENTS The other six projects will support community organisations operating Safe Sound Sleeping Places – interim shelters in community-owned premises – to improve their facilities and provide more conducive interim shelter for rough sleepers. Also known as S3Ps, these shelters give rough sleepers a place to rest for the night. One of them is Toa Payoh Methodist Church, where pastor Ms Ming Feong Ching described its five-person S3P as a “stepping stone” for rough sleepers. Those who come to the shelter may be sleeping rough for a range of reasons, including family conflict, failed marriages and unemployment. “All who come in will have a social worker to journey with them, and what we provide is a place to sleep. Without this shelter, they are always on alert for robbery, abuse, and the harsh weather,” she said.

With the funding, the church plans to refurbish its S3P with new cabinets to store residents’ luggage and lockers for their valuables. It also plans to purchase new mattresses, safari beds, an air purifier and a vacuum cleaner to improve and maintain the shelter. Ms Ming said lockers would give rough sleepers a greater sense of security. “These are their personal belongings and not knowing if they are safe just creates additional anxiety,” she said. “So they can go out to work or look for work without carrying all their belongings on them every day.” This sense of security is important because the belongings rough sleepers carry with them are often “all they have”, Ms Ming added. “So giving them that secure, reliable place to sleep allows them to really rest without having to always worry about personal safety, and eventually be in a better frame of mind so that they can make important decisions to move their life forward,” Ms Ming said. The church also conducts walks around the Toa Payoh area twice a month to reach out to rough sleepers. Ms Ming said some are “resistant” to moving into a shelter because they may feel “locked in”. “We respect their decision, but we continue to reach out until the day that they agree to go to a shelter,” she said.

STRONGER PARTNERSHIPS MSF also recognised 12 organisations with the five-year partner award for their sustained contributions to supporting rough sleepers, while 11 new organisations that joined the PEERS Network this year received the new partner award. The PEERS Network now comprises more than 80 community partners, social service agencies and government organisations, which work alongside volunteers and members of the public to provide coordinated support for rough sleepers. MSF said addressing rough sleeping requires sustained collaboration across these groups, with partners bringing different expertise and perspectives to support those experiencing homelessness. "MSF will continue working closely with partners to strengthen support for rough sleepers, test new ideas and strengthen early support, and build a stronger ecosystem of care," it added. "Together, these efforts aim to help more rough sleepers achieve stable housing, rebuild social connections, strengthen family and community ties, and reintegrate into society with dignity and confidence." Speaking to the PATH Fund recipients at the appreciation event, Mr Lee said: "Every rough sleeper has a story that needs to be heard, and meaningful change begins with somebody choosing to show up. "I want to thank you for being that someone week after week after week. There's not easy work. There's lots of love, lots of patience, lots of outreach on the ground, and befriending, and working close together with one another, (and) working in partnership with others in the peers network. We help provide that whole chain of support all the way till housing stability. "And I'm confident that we will go even further because of the commitment and care that all of you bring to this work."

## Chinese translation

> Translation model: grok_cli

### 协助露宿者寻找租赁组屋合租对象的倡议，列入获社会及家庭发展部资助的试点项目

在社会及家庭发展部PATH基金下获得资助的其他项目，包括一项协助露宿者获得学徒机会的计划，以及另一项将升级临时收容所设施的项目。

新加坡：一项将露宿者互相配对、以便共同承租公共租赁组屋的倡议，被列入一项新的社会及家庭发展部（MSF）基金下获得资助的试点项目。社会及家庭发展部星期三（8月19日）宣布，将试点推行17个由社区主导的项目，涵盖就业、住房、外展、社会重新融入及青年支援等领域。其中11个项目将测试新倡议，旨在为露宿者提供更有针对性的支援。这是金额为新币450,000元（美元352,600元）的“应对无家可归问题伙伴计划”（PATH）基金下的首批项目，该基金旨在支持协助无家可归者的倡议。露宿者被定义为在公共空间过夜的人士，无论其是否拥有住房。这包括没有住所的人，以及虽有住所但无法回去的人。该基金让社区组织有机会试点创新做法、测试新解决方案，并根据他们直接与露宿者合作的经验贡献想法。“这些项目也认识到，协助一个人摆脱露宿生活，不仅仅是提供临时住宿，”社会及家庭发展部表示。“还要帮助个人恢复生活稳定、加强人际关系，并培养继续稳定居住所需的信心、技能和支持网络。”根据社会及家庭发展部今年1月的一份报告，2025年7月18日进行的单晚街头统计共点算到496名露宿者，较2022年的530人略有下降。PATH基金的下一个申请窗口将于2027年3月开放。这17个项目是在星期三举行的“携手接触并赋能露宿者”（PEERS）表彰活动上公布的。出席活动的有社会服务整合统筹部长李智陞、社会及家庭发展部高级政务部长吴佩明，以及高级政务次长蔡瑞隆。

试点项目 其中一项旨在协助露宿者找到更长久住房的倡议，是“共同基础——单身人士合租计划（JSS）配对项目”。该计划将有意申请公共租赁组屋的单身露宿者，与合适的合租对象进行配对。这旨在帮助他们更快获得住房，同时降低合住安排破裂的风险。好消息社区服务执行董事Steven Tham博士告诉新传媒新闻频道（CNA），该组织上个月举办了首次配对活动，让露宿者能够见面并更好地互相了解。参与者获发列有各种行为和偏好的卡片，例如是否习惯晚睡或能否接受大声音乐，并可标明他们在潜在合租对象身上愿意或不愿意接受的事项。“这些就是我们所说的不可妥协的条件。同时，他们也可以标明自己不介意的事情。例如有一点不整洁、访客来访、看电影或大声唱歌，”他补充说。这有助于找出生活偏好相容的人，并让潜在合租对象在决定是否同住之前有机会互相了解。“这会让他们感觉更有信心一些，也会更愿意住在一起，”Tham博士说。“这比随机去找某个人要好得多……因为你们已经为他们建立了一些可以起步的共同基础。”单身人士合租计划（JSS）允许两名单身人士共同承租一套组屋。JSS由营运机构安排的试点计划，则允许单身人士在尚未找到室友的情况下申请租赁组屋。租户将由社会服务机构分配室友，并会考虑每名租户的背景、偏好和生活习惯。根据社会及家庭发展部1月的报告，超过一半的受访者——58%——知道新公共租赁住房计划的推出，例如JSS由营运机构安排的试点。当被问及是否已申请或有意申请这些计划时，只有39%表示愿意。社会及家庭发展部在报告中表示，新的公共租赁住房模式获得部分露宿者的良好评价，但仍可做更多工作以提高认知，因为许多受访者并不知情，或不愿考虑这些选择。

Tham博士说，让露宿者迈出第一步、去见潜在合租对象，可能颇具挑战。有些人可能也不愿搬进收容所，因为他们不熟悉流程，或尚未与接触他们的人建立足够的信任。他的团队可能会在数月内反复接触并与他们交谈，以建立信任。他们也会解释搬进收容所的好处，例如更好的卫生设施和存放个人物品的地方。他补充说，支援在他们搬入新家后仍会持续，社工会与他们保持联系，并在出现问题时提供帮助。“这给了他们一种安心：如果他们还有问题，有人可以咨询，”Tham博士说。就业支援 另一项试点倡议旨在帮助露宿者克服就业障碍。希望倡议联盟副总监Joyder Ng回忆起曾协助一名住在临时收容所的露宿者找到工作。他接受过保安岗位培训，但第一次考核未能通过。第二次尝试需要他再接受并支付另一轮培训费用，但他没有这笔钱。“我们提供收容所，但没有额外捐款。不过我们讨论后决定帮他走下去，赞助他第二次考试，”她说。他最终通过了考试，从而获得了工作。Ng女士说：“有一份工作，能够养活自己，能够赚自己的钱、花自己的钱，这能帮助他们看到自己是有价值的，对他们来说是有意义的。”

在这些努力的基础上，该团队启动了MAPS——“微就业与学徒通往稳定之路”——为露宿者提供量身定制的就业机会，从学徒到微型工作不等。Ng女士说，该倡议目前处于筹备阶段，组织已接触潜在雇主，以及就业教练和职业顾问。Ng女士说，该倡议并非简单地为露宿者安排工作，或期望他们立刻接受长期就业。相反，它旨在帮助他们做好工作准备，包括通过学徒或兼职工作。“一旦他们对正在做的事情感到更自在、更有信心，他们也可以与雇主追求长期就业，”她说。设施翻新 另外六个项目将支援运营“安全安稳过夜处”（Safe Sound Sleeping Places）的社区组织——这些是设于社区自有场所的过渡性收容所——以改善设施，为露宿者提供更适宜的过渡住宿。这些收容所也称为S3P，为露宿者提供过夜休息的地方。其中一个是大巴窑卫理公会，牧师Ming Feong Ching女士将其可容纳五人的S3P描述为露宿者的“踏脚石”。前来收容所的人可能因各种原因露宿，包括家庭冲突、婚姻破裂和失业。“所有进来的人都会有一名社工陪伴他们走过这段路，而我们提供的是一个睡觉的地方。没有这个收容所，他们总是要提防抢劫、虐待和恶劣天气，”她说。

有了这笔资助，教会计划翻新其S3P，添置新橱柜存放住客行李，以及储物柜存放贵重物品。教会还计划购买新床垫、折叠行军床、一台空气净化器和一台吸尘器，以改善并维护收容所。Ming女士说，储物柜会给露宿者更大的安全感。“这些是他们的个人物品，不知道是否安全只会制造额外的焦虑，”她说。“这样他们就可以出去工作或找工作，而不必每天把所有东西都带在身上。”Ming女士补充说，这种安全感很重要，因为露宿者随身携带的物品往往是“他们仅有的一切”。“所以给他们一个安全、可靠的睡觉地方，让他们真正休息，而不必总是担心人身安全，最终也能有更好的心态，以便做出推动人生向前的重要决定，”Ming女士说。教会还每月两次在大巴窑一带步行外展，接触露宿者。Ming女士说，有些人“抗拒”搬进收容所，因为他们可能觉得会被“关起来”。“我们尊重他们的决定，但会继续接触他们，直到他们同意去收容所的那一天，”她说。

更紧密的伙伴关系 社会及家庭发展部还表彰了12个组织，授予五年伙伴奖，以肯定他们持续支援露宿者的贡献；另有11个今年加入PEERS网络的新组织获得新伙伴奖。PEERS网络现有超过80个社区伙伴、社会服务机构和政府组织，他们与志愿者和公众并肩合作，为露宿者提供协调支援。社会及家庭发展部表示，应对露宿问题需要这些群体持续协作，各伙伴带来不同的专长和视角，支援正在经历无家可归的人。“社会及家庭发展部将继续与伙伴紧密合作，加强对露宿者的支援、测试新想法并加强早期支援，以及建立一个更强大的关怀生态系统，”该部补充说。“这些努力共同旨在帮助更多露宿者获得稳定住房、重建社会联系、加强家庭和社区纽带，并以尊严和信心重新融入社会。”

李智陞在表彰活动上对PATH基金受助者说：“每一位露宿者都有一个需要被听见的故事，而有意义的改变，始于有人选择现身。

“我要感谢你们一次又一次、一周又一周地成为那个人。这不是容易的工作。这里有很多爱、很多耐心、很多地面外展和交友，以及彼此紧密合作，（并）与PEERS网络中的其他人结成伙伴。我们协助提供整条支援链，一路直到住房稳定。

“而我有信心，我们会走得更远，因为你们所有人带到这项工作中的承诺与关怀。”