{"id":34298,"date":"2026-03-07T09:27:35","date_gmt":"2026-03-07T01:27:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=34298"},"modified":"2026-03-07T09:27:35","modified_gmt":"2026-03-07T01:27:35","slug":"a-look-inside-hdb-flats-where-people-with-disabilities-including-autism-live-independently","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=34298","title":{"rendered":"A look inside HDB flats where people with disabilities, including autism, live independently"},"content":{"rendered":"


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SINGAPORE \u2013 Inside several two-room flats in an Ang Mo Kio block, house rules are pinned on walls decked in muted colours, and storage spaces clearly labelled. <\/p>\n

These units are home to residents such as Mr Vincent Ng, 30, and Mr Neo Boon Hao, 28, who both have autism and share a flat.<\/p>\n

Their schedules and chores list \u2013 which give them a sense of structure \u2013 are prominently displayed in the living room, which is adorned with pictures of them and their friends.<\/p>\n

Living independently was once a struggle for them. Mr Ng could not stay in other flats due to conflicts with tenants, and lived in a sheltered home for over a year. <\/p>\n

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The schedules and chores list of Mr Vincent Ng and Mr Neo Boon Hao are prominently displayed in the living room of the Ang Mo Kio flat they share.<\/p>\n

ST PHOTO: GIN TAY<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Mr Neo was at risk of being homeless after his foster mother \u2013 his only caregiver \u2013 died and their home was sold.<\/p>\n

Both men moved into the flat in 2022 under a residential living pilot by the Autism Resource Centre (Singapore), or ARC, and are now part of the Enabled Living Programme (ELP) by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF). <\/p>\n

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The ELP was piloted in December 2025<\/p>\n

<\/a>, as announced during the debate on the MSF\u2019s budget on March 6. <\/p>\n

Under the programme, people with disabilities (PWDs) who cannot live with their families live in pairs in public rental flats, where residential coaches supervise and guide them on daily living. <\/p>\n

The ELP provides PWDs with support to live independently in the community instead of being institutionalised.<\/p>\n

ARC runs the ELP site in Ang Mo Kio. Different service providers operate the programme in Woodlands, Lengkok Bahru, Bedok North and Jurong West.<\/p>\n

\u201cI find it comfortable, as long as I have (the) coaches\u2019 support. It is able to help me grow,\u201d Mr Ng said during a media visit to his flat in Ang Mo Kio Avenue 8 on March 4.<\/p>\n

The Home Support Programme (HSP), providing similar support to PWDs living near ELP sites, will be piloted in the second half of 2026. MSF said the ELP and HSP can serve up to 250 clients.<\/p>\n

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Mr Vincent Ng washing the dishes.<\/p>\n

ST PHOTO: GIN TAY<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Touch Community Services operates the Jurong West site, which can support up to 28 clients with intellectual disabilities or autism. Their first resident will join in April.<\/p>\n

Ms\u00a0Ang Chiew Geok, who heads the Touch Special Needs Group, said PWDs who have ageing or unwell caregivers, or face family constraints like overcrowding and conflict, may be left without a home. <\/p>\n

She said the ELP is like using \u201ctraining wheels in real life\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cSupport is available, but the focus is on helping clients build independence by practising and mastering everyday living skills in the same community they will continue to be part of,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Ms Ang said clients will pay their own rental fees, which vary according to income, and their own expenses such as utility bills.<\/p>\n

ARC\u2019s residential living pilot took in adults above 18 years old, before they went on to join the ELP \u2013 which is typically for adults between 35 and 64 years old.<\/p>\n

Dr Sim Zi Lin, programme director and psychologist at ARC, said: \u201cIt would be remiss if we have these individuals with disabilities that do have the potential to live in a community (but) are in an institutional home, which wouldn\u2019t be a right-siting based on their needs.\u201d<\/p>\n

She said the five clients at ARC\u2019s ELP site have grown in independent living skills, such as visiting a clinic by themselves and cooking nutritious meals at home.<\/p>\n

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Psychologist Sim Zi Lin (centre) with Mr Vincent Ng (left) and Mr Neo Boon Hao.<\/p>\n

ST PHOTO: GIN TAY<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Mr Ng is pursuing a diploma in management studies at the Singapore Institute of Management, while Mr Neo works as a cafe assistant at Pathlight School.<\/p>\n

In their flat, individual spaces are demarcated \u2013 Mr Ng takes the single bedroom while Mr Neo uses a pull-down bed in the living room \u2013 and the unit is spick and span.<\/p>\n

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Individual spaces are demarcated in the flat.<\/p>\n

ST PHOTO: GIN TAY<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Dr Sim said the pilot\u2019s challenges include helping roommates get along, which is especially tough when clients have social communication difficulties.<\/p>\n

Thankfully, Mr Ng and Mr Neo have grown accustomed to living together and have learnt how to split household chores such as cleaning toilets and wiping windows.<\/p>\n

During the media visit, Mr Neo had dinner while Mr Ng cleaned the kitchen. They then watched Paw Patrol \u2013 Mr Neo\u2019s favourite series \u2013 on television together.<\/p>\n

\u201cLiving with a roommate is easier and lighter. I hope to keep it this way for the long term,\u201d said Mr Ng.<\/p>\n

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Mr Neo Boon Hao (left) and Mr Vincent Ng watching Paw Patrol on television together.<\/p>\n

ST PHOTO: GIN TAY<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Dr Sim said Ang Mo Kio residents have been very welcoming, and recalled kind gestures such as a grassroots leader treating ARC\u2019s ELP clients to meals. <\/p>\n

ARC\u2019s three residential coaches, who live in an on-site office in a flat over 24-hour shifts, are also a constant and encouraging presence.<\/p>\n

Mr Ng said: \u201cI just want to be grateful that the coaches here are supporting me every day, whether it\u2019s about budgeting, or other plans I have in future.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n


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