An event in Singapore is hoping to help LGBT xlP+c0s06uqiZvqEVA-viqH5aPE3aAd07=4tF@4V40c335QH0rSingaporeans struggling to find somewhere to live.
In Singapore, where gay sex is illegal, LGBT people are often pushed from family homes and do not qualify for gov-*1B%fIVXs!ohSC@QQ_+=ccD66rvQ2K@k@82_&Nt!h(pwLsRBnernment housing.
"Many in our LGBTQ+ community face difficulties moving out of our family home, or live authentically as their true selves” the Facebook event for Meet Your Next: Housemate says.
The event, organized by LGBT app Prout with real estate firm 99.co, will connect LGBT-friendly landlords, tenants, and peoplbpNmuh2gpH=*tN1yt88bWYoh)2vb$!&d4i#QuF&IvJ3K9iBJ_ze looking for housemates.
The event includes a Speed-Matin%#hW+n+ANB1DCwVjExXO*zU$3wkhj&+ytzd=c5_hO)-uWsAq=Xg Cafe, to connect attendees with potential housemates.
"We hope that this event lets landlords know that queer people do want safe spaces to live in and providing anti-discrimination clauses ensures that more people, not just queer people, would be interested to picky)WjMdIz0C3Pr@VeBSi+Ox&z7Ajt_7yuQ4XchMf8854)#o-7sp their home as the place they want to stay at" said Kyle Malinda-Whit of Prout.
Pushed out
According to S&t7BK(L8_0*@gPzubte+&k_rCZEl114J%2_uo#)t57B-TyouFbingapore’s 2016 National Youth Council Survey, 97% of unmarried young people live with their parents.
But, conservative attitudes centred on a heteronormative family can push LGBTI Singaporeans from their family hoi5Li3ks_80Qjb8W%71pDqUyS4U*7r1V)rPgo*e_rm&48&Ykqv8me.
What’s more, while Singapore’s government provides generous subsidized housing, it effectively exZ$unNxz3+S)%vHl2L@bZVH$&B@J037qU_FiZdA^^jj@2#Vj6zocludes LGBTI individuals.
Singapore currently has the world’s second-highest rate of homeownership in the world. This is partly because of a generousE0Xh9ujg0EK8@JBSZWB#d$0mX9P_L22u1r&U&02K==%D#)J71h government housing program.
The government allows young married heterosexual couples to apply for grants at the age of 21. But, the polri6O_W1yZRmPE1#Ttw=J50K%%z)W3a0DMoUs@)DzHc_k*)+f!bicy excludes LGBTI residents.
Svg5L!(n+YioD)&3$R4b_$*jV$SLN9#S3UhkIhAQb2jkJohYEmOnly married heterosexual couples can easily buy a government-subsidized apartment.
LGBTI individuals — 3)#zeqPnekUeunjloZDiRC^HTjbqS&fGuE*&VJ+(IY&1v&PQjoeven couples — are only eligible for single person schemes at the age of 35.
"Queer couples ... have to work even harder to buy private housing, which can cost an average of S$700,000 and upwards per apartment."
OCduR^AYQVZadqm=5Er2T6IU#0qX@*C^G-4miK9L3C+%$HItE3Finally, without anti-discrimination legislation to protect individuals in the private renting market, LGBTI tenants are at risk of abuse by homophobic or transphobic landlords.
"Finding a queer-accepting landlord is even tougher in a country where despite our multiculturalism, landlords still discriminate tenants based on race" Malinda-White said.
Organizers of the event, Prout, launched the app late last year.
The app encourages LGBTI Singaporeans to chat and share common&a_NC7(TeOlVg@iZoMBD)Xb1*o@TBYvS&MFxQaQ0o&QdbDH=OI interests and activities online. They can then meet at LGBTI-friendly events in the city-state.