Smaller homes but not poorer quality of living: HDB
Even though HDB flats have shrunk in size over the last 30 years, Housing and Development Board (HDB) CEO Cheong Koon Hean has assured residents the quality of life has not lessened.
While HDB flats have decreased in size by up to 10 per cent, compared to flats during the 1980s and 1990s, official statistics also show that the average household shrunk from 4.9 in 1980 to 3.5 last year.
As such, there is an increase in living space for each person, Cheong was reported as saying by Channel NewsAsia.
Cheong, speaking at the sidelines of a housing forum on Thursday, credited the role of good interior design in creating good living space.
"In many global cities of the world or big cities, people do pay attention to how they do the inside of the flat as well as optimising the use of furniture and storage. It can be a very comfortable living environment," she was quoted as saying.
During the forum, she shared the challenges of building public housing.
Other than dealing with many expectations from residents and keeping pace with changing needs, efficacy and cost remain HDB's key concerns, she said.
The Board is also careful to minimise potential problems in the long term, and thus ensures a flat is durable with little mis-amenities such as water seepage, overlooking and noise.
To achieve its aims, HDB reaches out to the public and private sectors for help on new housing projects.
