Urbanization, inequality, ethnicity and homelessness in Singapore

This article explores the issue of homelessness in Singapore, focusing on the factors of urbanization, inequality, ethnicity, and economic adversity. It provides a literature review of studies conducted on homelessness and its causes, and highlights the unique situation of homelessness in Singapore.

Running head: URBANIZATION, INEQUALITY, ETHNICITY AND HOMELESSNESS 1
Urbanization, inequality, ethnicity and homelessness in Singapore
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Urbanization, inequality, ethnicity and homelessness in Singapore
Introduction
Homelessness continues to be a great social issue in the world. On a daily basis more
people succumb to the problem due to varying reasons. The United Nations attempted a
worldwide survey of the same issue in 2005 and they uncovered that it is a grave global concern.
Findings from the research approximated that more than one hundred million people were
homeless. Additionally, more 1.6 billion individuals lack adequate housing. Thus, this issue
continues to haunt the worldwide population. Recent pictures flooding the internet display the
dire situation in Singapore with a fraction of its people found on the street. Thus, the government
is concerned about this issue and requires to collect national data in regard to the same problem.
A social research project is essential to provide information on the ways to formulate the design
of the study, methods of data collection and analysis and review of the same. Therefore, this is a
submission of that nature.
Background of The Study
The republic of Singapore is an Island country in the Southeast Asia. It is surrounded by
water and has no land connection to neighboring countries. It is located at the southern tip of the
Malay Peninsula and with some Indonesian islets to its south. The total population of the nation
is approximately 5.3 million. The total area of Singapore is 660 square kilometers with the
country making reclamations from the surrounding waters. The country was once a British
territory and functioned as a trading post but gained independence in 1963 under the blanket of
Malaysia but separated in 1965 because of ideological differences.

URBANIZATION, INEQUALITY, ETHNICITY AND HOMELESSNESS 3
It is a wealthy country because today it has become a financial hub in the Asia region.
Additionally, it is considered one of the economic ‘tigers’ of the continent. This is based on the
country’s political stability and peace. However, it also has very strict laws and operates in a
very conservative manner. Singapore is a multiracial nation but the Chinese dominate with about
75 percent of the population. The Malay make up 14 percent while the Indians are 9 percent. The
rest of the population is comprised of several smaller races. It is similarly a multilingual nation
with English and Mandarin as the official languages. The former makes up 37 percent while the
latter comprises 35 percent. Other small Chinese dialects make up 12 percent, Malay, Tamil and
other languages include 11 percent, 3 percent and 2 percent respectively. Freedom of religion
guarantees many religions including Buddhists, Christians, Muslim, Taoist, Hindu and other
minute ones with shares of 33 percent, 19 percent, 14 percent, 10 percent, 5 percent and 0.6
percent. Another 18 percent do not identify with any particular religion.
Singapore is one of the countries in the world where people live in the urban areas. In
fact, the CIA world Factbook considers the country as 100 percent urbanized. The people of
Singapore are highly educated with at least 97 percent of them educated. The life expectancy in
the country is 85 years. The country has managed to pose positive figures for its annual growth
and the GDP amounts to 323.9 billion dollars making a rich state nation.
This republic managed to move from a poor country to a rich one within a single
generation. In fact, the CIA Factbook records that there are no people living below the poverty
line. In 2015, the world bank provided the international poverty line to be 1.90 dollars a day.
Therefore, the people of Singapore comfortably use more than that in a day. However, a study
conducted in early 2017 by Montfort Care, a volunteer organization in collaboration with group
SW101, a similar type of organization that conducts research on issues that affect low-income

URBANIZATION, INEQUALITY, ETHNICITY AND HOMELESSNESS 4
people found that 180 people sleep on the streets in Singapore (Madalina, 2016). Data was
collected over a period of five hours by one hundred volunteers. The selected hours were
between 9 pm and 2 am (Madalina, 2016). The many people interviewed were found sleeping in
public spaces such East Coast Park and at HDB blocks. Some offered to answer some questions
while the rest filled the entire questionnaire. A bunch refused to participate in the survey. It
targeted personal information such as education level, the duration that they slept outside, age,
and home ownership.
Findings indicate that these people sleeping in the street are totally different from the
usual ones found on the streets of cities in many other countries. The surprising fact is that 60
percent of the ones interviewed had jobs. Of these, 58 percent of them worked on a full-time
basis while 38 percent were on casual labor (Madalina, 2016). Majority worked as cleaners and
security personnel. Additionally, the survey discovered that some of them had registered
addresses with some of them owning apartments. Some of the reasons of these people sleeping in
the streets include running from the family disputes in their homes, renting out their units to
people to make extra cash, some of them work shifts and would rather wait till their next shift
and some just want to be close to their working areas (Tan & Forbes-Mewett, 2017). Another
surprising perspective of the those sleeping in the streets of Singapore include the fact that they
individually make the decision to live in the streets and do not seek help from shelters or the
authorities (Cheng, 2018). Thus, the study served to illuminate the plight of the homeless on the
streets of the state nation. It allowed the public to know there are people who actually live on the
streets in this country.
Literature Review

URBANIZATION, INEQUALITY, ETHNICITY AND HOMELESSNESS 5
A library internet search was used to locate some of the studies that are done on
homelessness. One of the most important tools used in this process was google scholar that
proved an asset in finding relevant content for this proposal. Other important databases include
JSTOR and the library database. Furthermore, a general search on the internet was similarly
useful in compiling some keywords that were essential in the gathering of information on the
topic. Vital phrases and words used in the search include ‘homelessness’, ‘temporary housing’,
‘sleeping in the streets’, ‘homes’, ‘housing costs’, ‘shelter for the poor’, ‘urban living’ and ‘street
life’.
The efforts unearthed many studies done on this particular issue indicating that it is a
stubborn problem in many countries. In fact, researchers have used multiple designs ranging
from empirical, qualitative to quantitative ones, and social studies. Many disciplines are also
involved in understanding the phenomenon and its causes. They include psychology, sociology,
education, urban studies, architecture, nursing and social work. European countries dominate the
space of research in homelessness (Hill & Lian, 2013). Others include the United States and
Australia. Some Asian countries have also done similar investigations on the same. The timelines
of these studies is also important because some European countries conducted them as early as
the 1970s. However, those of interest to this study range from about two decades ago because
they can reflect homelessness in the modern society. One of the most noticeable factors is the
fact that the studies conducted on homelessness in Singapore are few and conducted quite
recently (HUI, 2018). Thus, this social plight is a newer problem in the country.
One of the most concerning issue with the literature available includes defining what
homelessness encompasses. It has been difficult to establish a consensus about what
homelessness describes. The United Nations defines this phenomenon using two descriptive

URBANIZATION, INEQUALITY, ETHNICITY AND HOMELESSNESS 6
terms. Primary homelessness is the group of persons that are often found living in the street,
including the ones without living quarters. A second definition is called secondary homelessness.
It includes those individuals that lack a usual place of residence and often move from one quarter
to another. Additionally, it encompasses those that are accommodated in shelters for the poor on
a transitional basis. Furthermore, it also includes those individuals without their own living areas
and are accommodated by friends or relatives. Another definition considers homelessness as the
phenomenon of being without a permanent place of residence and spend their lives s great deal
of time out on the streets living in abandoned buildings or centers for the homeless (Guirguis-
Younger, McNeil, & Hwang, 2014). (Guirguis-Younger, McNeil, & Hwang, 2014) investigated
the phenomenon of homelessness among youth in Canada. Their research focused on the youths
aged between 12 and 24 living in the streets.
The study made by (Guirguis-Younger, McNeil, & Hwang, 2014) provides a
comprehensive look into the situation of homelessness of youth in both Canada and the United
States. In fact, it presents one of the most concerning issues with living in the streets. They link
problems of health to this state of living. Additionally, they provide give the issue of
homelessness as the result of the youth running away from traumatic experiences or various
problems in their environments rather than searching to live in the streets. In fact, among all the
studies made in homelessness in youth, one of the common denominators is the fact that these
youths often come from strained families (Guirguis-Younger, McNeil, & Hwang, 2014). Some
of these families are affected by drug and alcohol abuse. Domestic violence, poverty, neglect and
emotional abuse are among the problems they experience in their families and they thus choose
to live in the streets. Others who have been through the foster care environments consider them

URBANIZATION, INEQUALITY, ETHNICITY AND HOMELESSNESS 7
to be unfavorable because they are perceived as delinquents and treated as such (Smith, 2012).
Thus, they choose street life.
Street cultures are a major concern of the social researchers that investigate the issue. For
subsidence these street youths engage in various activities such as panhandling, borrowing,
survival sex, prostitution and seeking employment. They regularly lack food and shelter for
nights (Guirguis-Younger, McNeil, & Hwang, 2014). These situations create enormous stress for
them and to cope some of them end up abusing drugs. Some social issues that haunt these
populations include addiction, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and suicidal tendencies
(Guirguis-Younger, McNeil, & Hwang, 2014). Another significant problem includes their
interactions with the public where they face abusive people because of their dressing and
appearance. It contributes to stigmatization and often leads to rejection by potential employers.
Thus, this literature provides that the health of the homeless youths deteriorates because of the
difficulty and stress of their living situation and many experience bad sexual health, mental
disorders and often fall sick. (Guirguis-Younger, McNeil, & Hwang, 2014) suggest that the
plight of homeless youths is as a result of systematic problems and they suggest a systematic
response to it can cure the problem.
Economic adversity is the major contributor of homelessness in many countries in the
world (Cross, Seager, Erasmus, Ward & O'Donovan, 2010). (Cross, Seager, Erasmus, Ward &
O'Donovan, 2010) conduct a cross sectional study across multiple nations including the United
Kingdom, the United States, India and South Africa. This research unearths the fact that there are
many contributing factors including poverty and unemployment. One of the major discoveries is
the fact that spatial access to street living is a contributing factor. Similarly, access to metro core
zones is a housing issue that is directly linked to poverty. Thus, this research provides a

URBANIZATION, INEQUALITY, ETHNICITY AND HOMELESSNESS 8
comprehensive study of economic phases of a country as a contributing factor to the problem of
housing. Thus, (Cross, Seager, Erasmus, Ward & O'Donovan, 2010) seek political and economic
solutions to the homelessness in the South African context.
Tan & Forbes-Mewett (2017) investigate homelessness in Singapore as a major concern
in the state. The island state prides itself as being a pioneer in the creation of affordable housing
for its public that live in the urban context. However, Tan & Forbes-Mewett (2017) are
concerned about the rate at which the elder population in the country is slipping through the
cracks and becoming homeless in these Singaporean cities. One of the perspectives that the
article provides is the perspective from many online articles published by the general public that
is concerned and government publications (Clarilyn, 2017). Furthermore, the media has greatly
covered the issue and provided great content from various forms of research. Tan & Forbes-
Mewett (2017) conducted a two-year ethnographic study that provided various findings that
show homelessness for the elderly in the nation state as a result of personal decisions and
structural factors. Additionally, Tan & Forbes-Mewett (2017) discovered that there are multiple
factors involved in the process but they appreciate the fact that there is a breakdown of structures
of work, family, and friends. Similarly, the lack of governmental assistance is a constant issue.
(ONLINE, 2017) also discovered that the homeless situation in Singapore is different from the
usual stereotypes in that the elderly people above fifty years make up majority of this group
living in the streets. (ONLINE, 2017) similarly uncovered great breakdown in personal
relationships of these men with their families as a major reason as to why they live in the streets.
The perspective of homeless families is another one that has received little attention from
social researchers. (Teo & Chiu, 2016) provide an account of nine families in Singapore that this
problem by living through various transitional homes. It is one of the strengths of this research in

URBANIZATION, INEQUALITY, ETHNICITY AND HOMELESSNESS 9
that they follow married couples with children instead of the more common ones that involve
single people. In conducting the research, the scientists used the definition of homelessness as
the lack of complete control, privacy and comfort, and nonexistence of physical, emotional or
financial support from kin. Additionally, a comprised sense of family and decision making and
and the sense of hope and belief while interacting with the societal system in place (Teo & Chiu,
2016). Findings of this study associate homelessness with structural factors arising in a systemic
manner from kin support and housing policies. Another major strength of this study comes from
the fact that they investigated various issues associated with non-housing elements that
contribute to the homeless situation of this families. They include policies that govern
citizenship, welfare and education. However, the research did not look into the number of years
that these families had been surviving on the basis of homelessness.
The exercise of understanding available research literature on homelessness provides
quick understanding of it. It is an issue that cuts across the multiple academic philosophies. It has
been investigated in various ways using different techniques to uncover the social issue. All
studies mentioned in this proposal are relevant for this proposal that will takes a sociocultural
approach to this problem. Singapore is one of the most urbanized states in the world and
therefore urbanization is one of the issues that the proposal seeks to address (Akinluyi &
Adedokun, 2014). Similarly, there is a great deal of inclusion in the country for all races.
Therefore, the proposal seeks to answer questions in regard to which ethnic groups are affected
by homelessness.
Research Question
What contribution does urbanization, inequality and ethnicity affect the rising homelessness in
Singapore?

URBANIZATION, INEQUALITY, ETHNICITY AND HOMELESSNESS 10
Objectives
 To find out the rate of urbanization in Singapore and detail its effect on the culture of the
people.
 To understand inequality in the context of the urban centers.
 To find out the distribution of homelessness among the ethnic groups in the country.
Research Design
This study assumes an empirical design of research to investigate the problem at hand. It
will use the qualitative techniques that are useful to uncover the various processes that are
involved in a social relationship. It is a useful design to populate data and provide extensive
understanding of the issue. Kazdin (2011) suggests that qualitative techniques are essential when
attempting to understand human functioning in a society. Thus, it is ideal to study some issues
concerning homelessness in Singapore.
This study intends to make research in all the regions of Singapore. There are five regions
in the state and each has urban centers that make the ideal study area. The central and east
regions are the ones with the highest population density. The North, North-east and West regions
sum up the remaining regions (Neuman, 2013). The central and east ones will provide two
centres each for the study while the rest provide one. The selected metropolitans in the East
include Bedok and Tampines. Those in the central area include Bukit Merah and Toa Payoh.
Woodlands, SengKang and Bukit Panjang are selected from the North, North-east and the West
respectively. Each city will include three focus areas for data collection. Therefore, a total of
twenty-one centres provide data for this research (Berg, Lune & Lune, 2004). The assigned data
collection officers must focus on vehicular and foot bridges, parks, abandoned cars and empty

URBANIZATION, INEQUALITY, ETHNICITY AND HOMELESSNESS 11
buildings and the unfinished ones. Data collection instruments include questionnaires that will be
used to film 10 minute interviews.
Random sampling method will be used to select participants depending on their location.
Some of the focus questions will enquire about the length of homelessness, occupation, meals
per day, age, family ties, ethnicity, and access to residential places (Bryman, 2016). Similarly,
the issue of housing will be covered through questions that ask about their previous shelters. This
will establish knowledge about awareness on public housing. All data collected will be analyzed
in a single center using various qualified analysts.
Ethical Issues
One of the issues concerns approval from the governmental office to conduct the
research. The ethical concerns cover the process of research from the beginning, during the
research and after the research (Walker, 2007). Data collection process must include the privacy
and the approval of each interviewee. They must provide consent on camera at the beginning of
the filming (Ritchie, Lewis, Nicholls, & Ormston, 2013). Confidentiality is another ethical
concern of the research. All videos compiled must be kept in storage and only the results of the
research released after analysis. Thus, no individual will be seen to the outside world (Fouka &
Mantzorou, 2011).
Limitations of the Research
Time is one of the constraints of this study. Data collection is an intense process and so
is the analysis stage. The duration assigned may prove to be an obstacle of the study. Therefore,
ampleness of time is essential.

URBANIZATION, INEQUALITY, ETHNICITY AND HOMELESSNESS 12
The data collected for this research plays a significant role in assisting security officers to
respects and guarantee privacy of participants (Fowler Jr, 2013). Therefore, it plays crucial role
in establishing the credibility of the research as well as the profession.
Costs of this study can also prove to be a problem because of the selected locations that
the data collection officers must visit. A total of 21 locations must be visited for collection
purposes. Further costs are incurred for transport, equipment and labor. Machines needed for
data analysis are similarly essential and they will drive up the costs.

URBANIZATION, INEQUALITY, ETHNICITY AND HOMELESSNESS 13
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