99.co Supports Pink Dot 2019

It’s almost time for Pink Dot, and this year 99.co is expressing its support for an inclusive Singapore. Here are some of the things you’ll be seeing from us:

First, a quick tweak to our famous search maps

You’ll notice that you’re seeing a lot more pink on the search maps. Don’t adjust your screen settings; that’s just our way to show some support for Pink Dot this year.

Second, check out our 9 grid Instagram Post

You’ll see it live from now till Sunday (30th June).

Third, check out our video #AgainstDiscrimination

We’ve always been big advocates against discrimination in housing; whether it’s based on race, age, or sexual alignment. Check out the video.

Fourth, we’ll be changing our Facebook cover image for a little while.

That pink background is, again, no reason to adjust your monitor settings.

Does the LGBTQ community have a harder time finding  a home?

For the most part, yes. Getting married isn’t just about deciding to settle down with someone (you can do that whenever you want); there are legal ramifications, that affect your ability to find housing. Here’s just one example:

Amanda, 26, is a tuition teacher. She knew early on that it would be tough to find a home for her and her partner: “My grandparents with whom my sister and I have been staying with since young were forced to sell their home by HDB. I was 20 then, but I resolved to purchase a house as soon as I could.

By the time I was financially stable I was 25, and had moved out to stay with my Girlfriend because of increasing tension in my family due to lack of space and privacy in our small rented two-room flat.

I knew it was going to be an uphill battle considering I was a lesbian and wasn’t able to just get married and BTO like everybody. On the other hand I had absolutely no chance at getting a HDB flat alone until I was 35. But my grandparents are old and it’s not like time was on their side. When I approached HDB to see if I could along with my grandparents purchase a BTO flat the first time, they rejected us saying, your grandparents and yourself do not form a family nucleus. A family nucleus must consist of parents and a child.

We tried again a second time, this time sending the letter to the Prime Minister’s Office instead. Well, we got great news we could finally buy a flat. We actually paid the $10 and applied. But while my friends received results of their application. I had none.

A quick call to HDB told us we were disqualified due to my grandparents purchasing two flats from them previously. I was extremely frustrated and I called HDB, and kept repeating to them that there was no way I was going to get married and asked them to just use 2 of my chances if that was what it will take to get a flat.

Exasperated and in tears I actually said ‘I’m a lesbian and there is absolutely no way I’m going to get married in the near future. Not here anyway. I just want to buy a place to stay so that my grandparents can live out their last years comfortably.’

What their reply was at this point of time?

‘I understand, but you never know right? Maybe you’ll find someone and get married like everyone else?’

Not only had they invalidated my family nucleus as it was but they also invalidated the fact that I told them I was a lesbian and implied that if I wanted a house that badly. Just get married.

At this point I had absolutely no care of what they thought of me and was just begging. I had friends who could get BTO flats just because they were straight and married but continued staying with their parents leaving the flat empty most days.

Things managed to work out in the end as we managed to somehow get a resale flat with my name on it after multiple appeals.

Show your support by attending Pink Dot at Hong Lim Park, on 29th June at 5pm.

99.co has supported Pink Dot since 2017; because whatever your views on sexual alignment, everyone deserves a place to call home.