SINGAPORE: An online crisis portal will be set up to facilitate the use of residential properties as emergency housing in the event of a national crisis.
The Ministry of National Development (MND) and MOGUL.sg said in a joint press release on Friday (Mar 8) that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) had been signed to use the property portal’s booking platform for this purpose.
The crisis portal will enable homeowners who wish to play a “more active role” in supporting the community during a national crisis by listing their properties and “offer their homes to affected persons in need of emergency housing”.
“Individuals in need of emergency housing during national crises can access the portal to view the available properties and accompanying terms and conditions set by homeowners detailing the length of stay, suitability for families or pets, and other relevant conditions,” said MND and MOGUL.sg.
The public-private partnership – the first of its kind in Singapore – expands emergency housing solutions to include residential homes, adding to existing solutions such as hotels and government chalets.
MND and MOGUL.sg cited the COVID-19 pandemic as an example of why the crisis portal is needed.
“During the COVID-19 crisis when the borders closed, some Singaporeans had generously stepped forward to offer their homes to Malaysians in Singapore in need of temporary housing.
“Similarly, the portal will prove to be useful in such crisis scenarios that create an urgent need for emergency housing.”
