To reduce the risk of spread of Covid-19, the Singapore government released a list of 36 “unused state properties” to be converted into temporary accommodation for about 25,000 foreign workers.
The joint statment by the Ministry of National Development (MND) and the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) on 1 June 2020 stated that this measure is to reduce the density of the existing dormitories while new purpose-built dormitories are built to house them.
The conversion of the state properties will be ready by the end of the year. Currently, foreign workers are being housed in sites such as army camps and sports halls, which soon have to be “returned to their original users,” said Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong.
Majority of sites close to residential areas
Out of the 36 state properties listed for temporary foreign worker accomodation, 26 will be located within 200 metres of existing residential areas that include HDB flats, private condominiums and landed housing.
Of the listed state properties that are located close to homes, 17 are former schools, including Innova Junior College in Woodlands and Chatsworth International School at Marine Parade.
Notably, the list includes a block of recently-completed HDB flats that are part of the Bedok North Woods Build-to-Order (BTO) project. With four sites, Bedok is also the town with the highest number of state properties to be converted for short-term foreign worker housing.
At Bedok North Woods, foreign workers will be housed in a block consisting of 128 one-room units and 175 units two-room units. The HDB had designated this block as rental flats when the project was launched in the May 2016 BTO sales exercise.
The rest of Bedok North Woods consists of 357 three- and four-room flats across three blocks. Residents at these blocks have been notified of the use of the rental block for temporary foreign worker accomodation, via a notice from their Member of Parliament (MP):
High property value sites also used to house foreign workers
The list of state land properties to be converted to temporary foreign worker housing includes Chancery Court—an unoccupied 136-unit condo in prime District 11 that was collectively sold to developer Far East Organization in 2018 for $401.78 million.
According to a Business Times article, Far East Organization decided against building a new condo on the site after the en bloc. Instead, it planned to monetise the the existing development by renovating and renting out the refurbished units.
Located in prime District 11, the Chancery Court site and the site of the former Swiss Cottage School have the highest property value amongst the state properties chosen as temporary foreign worker housing.
According to data from property portal 99.co, rent for condos around the two sites averaged $3.70 per square foot in the past quarter—working out to around $4,500 in monthly rent for a unit the size of a typical four-room HDB flat.
The area is also home to high-end condos, landed homes as well as Good Class Bungalows (GCBs). In 2017, a two-storey GCB near Chancery Court was purchased as the residence for the Ambassador of Ireland for $26.5 million.
Also notable is the fact that the Chancery Court site is located next to the ACS (Barker Road) secondary school, whereas the former Swiss Cottage School site is located next to Singapore Chinese Girls’ School.
Choa Chu Kang to host larger ‘Quick Build Dormitories’
To house a larger number of foreign workers in a single site on a short-term basis, the government will also build eight Quick Build Dormitories (QBDs) that will last for around two to three years.
According to the joint-ministry release, QBDs are temporary structures that can be constructed quite quickly in a modular form with a low density, with each QBD housing about 500-1000 workers per hectare depending on site conditions.
Of the eight QBDs to be built, two will be located in Choa Chu Kang (Choa Chu Kang Grove and Choa Chu Kang Way). Both sites are located close to existing HDB flats.
The eight QBDs will have a capacity of around 25,000. The living space for each foreign worker within the QBDs will also be improved as part of a new stardard, from a minimum requirement of 4.5 square metres (sq m) per resident to 6.5 sq m per resident.
Additional rules include stipulating a maximum of 10 beds per room (there was previously no such rule), no less than one set of toilet, bathroon and sink for five beds (previously 15) and a minimum of 15 sick bay beds per 1,000 bed spaces (previously just one).
In total, the converted state properties and QBDs will house 60,000 foreign workers by the end of 2020. The map below shows the locations* for state properties and QBDs in Singapore:
*MND has stated that new sites may be added due to new demands and requirements.
Reject NIMBY mindset, urges Lawrence Wong
At the press conference for the joint release, Minister Wong said that the ministries are ultimately planning to to replace the short- to medium-term housing by building new purpose-built dormitories (PBDs) to house up to 100,000 workers.
“This new building programme will take several years to complete, but we aim to have about 11 such new PBDs ready over the next one to two years,” he said, adding that authorities will set “higher standards” for these dormitories.
These future PBDs may also be built near homes. “In land scarce Singapore, it is inevitable that some of these new dormitory sites would be quite near residential areas,” said Minister Wong. “So all of us must do our part by rejecting the not in my backyard mindset.”
He additionally urged Singaporeans “to appreciate the contributions of all that our migrant workers have been doing and will continue to do and build in Singapore and welcome them as part of our community”.
What are your thoughts on housing foreign workers near to existing residential areas? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
If you liked this article, 99.co recommends Foreign workers in Singapore need more space, but how much? and ‘Massive’ Covid-19 cluster sparks Punggol HDB residents’ worst fears
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Seriously, this high dependency on foreign workers in any class is a big flaw, it has diluted our 1st world identity back to 3rd world standard in many areas. There is no need for more space to house them if the 320,000 cheap FWs could be halved
Transform pulau ubin as a foreign workers sanctuary. Rather scattering them island wide..
These foreign workers are largely well behaved and do not pose any threats or nuisance to others.
Moreover, they are here to earn a decent living thru extreme tough labour in building up our country, so let’s welcome them with open arms.
We all have a right to live on this earth. Foreign Workers are human beings too so I support the move for them to be living anywhere in the country. However, what keeps me awake at night are the Foreign Domestic Helpers in the residences. Domestic helpers need love and hence, release their need with the foreign workers.
I have interviewed many FDWs recently and it seems that 100% of them (interviewed) have boyfriends here in Singapore. If this is a fact, then I want to caution the employers especially those who trust your domestic helpers with young children in the house.
My FDW was honest with me, so we have an agreement that she is not allowed to bring anyone into our homes. Safety and security of our families are critical for us all who requires the support of our FDWs.
Thank you.
With the increase widespread of the housing of dormitory workers, looking at the future and far end once covid has subsided, workers would be roaming carelessly and maybe even loitering amongst our community. Nothing against them they are welcomed but majority of them will not have the mindset of being accustomed to our way of life and may turn sour.
However housing them is necessary and they should be treated as humans but incorporating them into our residential areas at such a pace is just looking at a mountain of trouble
Thank God for a caring & upright govt. We need to treat the workers as fellow human beings. They have a right to adequate housing.
Good job Mr. L.Wong,
It’s about time this to get rid of this NIMBY mindset attitude.
I used to live in Serangoon Gardens and was disheartened when PAP GRC lost in 2011 GE.
Well thought of temporary solution converting unused buildings whilst constructing new ones to reduce congestion in dorms.
The fear of having them staying nearby is quite unfounded with our no-nonsense public security system. Any valid complaint against them or whoever will be immediately taken care of by the relevant govt agencies in terminating their stay here.
This goes to show how some type of ppl can never learn. Little india riot just happen a few years ago; and now they are waiting for it in their backyard ?
Has the govt considered what is the security risk to our country with these stubborn mindset of relying on foreign cheap labour having foreigners population more than citizens?
Are we sure we are able to handle this threat of not being swarmed by them in nos? Has the gov studied the long term social implications and guarantee long term zero social problems due to building dorms near residence? Have we forgotten the not too ling ago riot by them?
Has the govt not noticed the high rapes reported in these countries where they cone from?
Oh yes, there is no way to satisfy every soul, but certainly policies has to benefit the majority of citizens. Then can you consider building these clusters in low dense populated area so that majority of us are not inconvenienced by their noises due to large gatherings n whatever their social habits that they brought along with them.
Papis please do not treat citizens as kids with NIMBY talks. Do your job and bring sg back to our formal glory. Singapore has lost its shine and the quality of lives has being brought down over the last 25 yrs with half cooked policies due to the over reliance of cheap labour from the low skill to the PMETs and CECA nonsense.
Not all Singaporean are in favour of too many FWs roaming carelessly in the local community causing disturbance and peace. Just look at the large crowd during their off days seeing them sitting in the pathway, corridors, open fields drinking can beers, tit-bits and leaving all the thrash and rubbish behind for cleaners are rather annoying. A garden city can become a dirty city overnight. In long term, FWs should be cut by half to free up space for better living.
I am against it. To all the liberal minded posters here @Nancy Han , lets all build them next to your block. You won’t be so happy when there are crowds of FW loitering around near your block with eyes on your daughters whenever they go jogging etc. Think before you post please. They are workers, I appreciate them, but not next to my home! Keep them segregated away from local community, please!