More diverse housing types may be on the cards as Singapore's younger residents seek flexible rental options

While Singapore continues to ramp up its public and private housing supply, the government is also working with the private sector to explore a wider range of housing typologies.

This comes as there is demand for flexible accommodation options, even though homeownership is still encouraged and remains a key tenant of Singapore’s social compact, said Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat.

“As our society becomes more diverse, our household structures, lifestyles and housing aspirations have also evolved,” said Chee during the opening ceremony of the 235-room Mber Co-Living and Serviced Apartments on Aug 3.

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For example, younger Singaporeans are looking to rent initially before buying their own homes. They may do so for various reasons, including a desire to live independently, or to enjoy greater flexibility.

The key is to give options for different people with different needs and aspirations, Chee added.

In 2023, the government piloted a new long-stay serviced apartments (or Serviced Apartments II, SA2) housing typology, to meet the increased demand for rental housing from Singaporeans and those who work or study in the city-state.

It will continue to look into alternative models such as SA2, co-living or other build-to-rent developments.

These can enrich and complement the broader housing landscape by offering residents more choices and greater flexibility, Chee noted.

“What we are trying to do is introduce more flexibility, more options, so that depending on your needs at that stage of life, you may want to consider rental options,” he said.

At the event, the minister also pointed to the importance of balancing heritage with development, by rejuvenating and breathing new life into older estates while honouring the history of the spaces through thoughtful and sensitive design.

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He cited Mber as an example of how this has been done, as its designers had incorporated elements reminiscent of traditional markets.

For example, Mber’s tiered architectural design pays homage to the two-storey Lim Tua Tow Market and shophouses that used to be at the site.

Opened in early June this year, Mber is a purpose-built co-living and serviced residence development by Aw & Sons Capital, situated along Teck Chye Terrace in Serangoon.

It is a redevelopment of a row of 15 shophouses, blending heritage with modernity. Josh Hu, managing director of Aw & Sons Capital, had bet on redeveloping the site into a hybrid co-living and serviced apartment project as “there is no comparable co-living product in the north-east area”, he told EdgeProp Singapore.

Discounted co-living rooms for youths

Chee’s remarks at the Mber opening ceremony come shortly after Coliwoo and Eco Energy announced they are setting aside more than 100 co-living units across three properties for Singaporean youths at discounted rates.

The private operators aim to provide “affordable, flexible accommodation” for young Singaporeans aged 21 to 35, at 1925 Quarters, Coliwoo Boon Lay, and Coliwoo Lutheran.

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Residents can also join parties and informal gatherings at the properties to connect with fellow youths.

Rates start from $1,800 per month for studio units at 1925 Quarters, situated at 95 Hindoo Road. Each room comes with an en suite bathroom, table and chairs, wardrobe, kitchenette, washer and dryer, as well as access to the communal patio.

For the Coliwoo property at 31 Boon Lay Drive, youths can stay in twin, queen, and “queen modified” rooms from $1,950 a month. That includes an en suite bathroom, study table with chair, air-conditioning, mini bar fridge, and wardrobe.

Communal areas at Coliwoo Boon Lay include a reading lounge, social kitchen, dining area, gym, laundry room and BBQ pits.

At Coliwoo Lutheran along Lutheran Road, twin and queen rooms are available from $2,000 onwards, with room inclusions spanning an en suite bathroom, study table with chair, air-conditioning, mini bar fridge and wardrobe.

Its common areas include the lounge, social kitchen, dining area, gym, laundry room, BBQ pits and outdoor gardens.

The initiative by Coliwoo and Eco Energy is part of the SG Youth Plan, a five-year roadmap to help young Singaporeans become confident, connected and contributing citizens — across areas such as careers, volunteering, policymaking, family relationships, hobbies and interests.

Announced by the National Youth Council and the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth on July 25, the SG Youth Plan lays out more than 20 initiatives.