How much do you know about homelessness in Singapore? 

A study led by Assistant Professor Ng Kok Hoe from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy found that there are about 1,000 people that live on the streets of Singapore; 87% of whom are men; while 50% are in their 50s or even older.

In light of the COVID-19 situation and circuit breaker measures, beaches and parks are no longer accessible; rough sleepers are now struggling to find a place to sleep and are highly susceptible to contracting the virus. It is more pressing than ever for us to step up and provide holistic care for these vulnerable individuals.

The Innkeeper’s Project @NorthEast #CoalitionToEndHomelessnessTogether is a project organised by the Ministry of Social and Family Development with the Housing & Development Board (HDB), involving several social service organisations.

With New Hope Community Services (NHCS) fronting the logistics and operations for this project, Methodist Welfare Services and Montfort Care working on the case management, Hope Initiative Alliance (HIA) is pleased to assist in soliciting support and in providing holistic care for the 200 homeless individuals who will be temporarily housed in the 1-room or 2-rooms HDB flats. This project is also supported by Singapore Kindness Movement.

The Innkeeper’s Project seeks to provide holistic 24-hour care for the homeless—inclusive of food, hygiene essentials and medical assistance. The fundraising goal is $200,000, which includes ex gratia/allowance for the homeless individuals and staff cost for the 24/7 staff-on-duty, handling the logistical and administrative tasks.

In-kind donations are mostly needed—such as mattresses, pillows, blankets, bedsheets, towels, and many more. (Please refer to the wishlist for The Innkeeper’s Project.) Owing to hygiene purposes and the COVID-19 situation, new and unused items are preferred. To make in-kind donations and arrange delivery, please call the hotline at 6304 3486 or email to covid19@hia.sg.

Let us rally together as one nation to care for the ones who are most vulnerable and in need. Your generous giving will go a long way in allowing these often overlooked and neglected individuals, to know that they matter and are cared for.

Note: When in excess to the needs, we will share the donated resources to other shelters and S3Ps (Safe, Sound, Sleeping Places).

Be part of us in The Innkeeper’s Project @NorthEast.

#CoalitionToEndHomelessnessTogether