The challenge for the Housing and Development Board (HDB) for the next 50 years is to strengthen the fabric of Singapore’s society in the face of changing demographics.
Minister for Community, Youth and Sports Vivian Balakrishnan said this at a community event marking the HDB’s 50th anniversary.
Dr Balakrishnan said: “Working together with grassroots and community leaders, HDB has done well these past 50 years to integrate different races and communities and build a cohesive heartland community.”
He said society is undergoing demographic changes with an ageing population and influx of new residents, as well as the influence of a globally-connected world.
He said: “The challenge going forward will be on strengthening the fabric of our society even as we accommodate the differences that these changes bring.”
Dr Balakrishnan said the government has committed S$508 million to upgrade the living environment for 50,000 households in Sembawang, Woodlands and Bukit Panjang, on top of the S$520 million already spent on 53,000 households.
He said: “I can assure you that as long as we have the financial resources, the government will continue to invest in upgrading programmes to benefit as many Singaporeans as possible.”
Source : Channel NewsAsia – 20 Jun 2010