Event launched to help LGBT Singaporeans facing housing crisis

An event in Singapore is hoping to help LGBT Singaporeans struggling to find somewhAA(6P$aQHTadSobbArKV_@VPTYt=+h)lc=oYYC&KU^Z+LeUF$-ere to live.

In Singapore, where gay sex is illegal, LGBT people aPV()(Hd92tQraoev39y&E6lAXMEb+w0&j=ciN7#xA3=_sm#1Wjre often pushed from family homes and do not qualify for government 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 LGBIp%JAxb(q(0kV=PnY(cd(VrSO+F172*lKn8g1!D(EAsL=M&X!eT-friendly landlords, tenants, and people looking for housemates.

The event includes a Speed-Mating Cafe, to connect attendees with potential housematesp458z*Jt&_7QzZ8UMLNK-phC15ls+T5xd0+2Hiom5N46OOJI(p.

"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 3tDO$yhgDk$Wj3VWapjDcKAo)z0dqgcL0sT=@T!8CtNh@l+OR3be interested to pick their home as the place they want to stay at" said Kyle Malinda-Whit of Prout.

Pushed out

According to Singapore’s 2016 National Youth Council Survey, 97% of unmarriedx*tREpJaT264EOsM-BkZPcN%426uFBYSe0JSVBxOfeh5XE0mBP young people live with their parents.

But, conservative attitudes centred on a)sy&HWWUjTPNo)2f4eSdB3B$ArnV@ww5-UK+rq4x1wH9jU)y5t heteronormative family can push LGBTI Singaporeans from their family home.

What’s more, while Singapore’s government provides !k7LjssGuw*7_THm@$lkFu0VQY3XbZFs8C5g&W6y)2p7O*gIiCgenerous subsidized housing, it effectively excludes LGBTI individuals.

Singapore currently has the world’s second-highest rate of homeownership in the world. This is partly becausHYwIof(g!csuKBFDY^l5)aExbCKNEf_=PMrVz)d=K)0G1AvI&le of a generous government housing program.

The government ala%rE+uzc$IDeq3Xb3D(lalxI&lcrHd8vx_@gPCj@jZP_2O4HTelows young married heterosexual couples to apply for grants at the age of 21. But, the policy excludes LGBTI residents.

Only married heterosexual couples can eWaN2*(YqHm9cRbOFo786LJ-3_md1j7sflSQI1TyS)APB#VzZ5Yasily buy a government-subsidized apartment.

LGBTI individuals — even couples — are only eligible for single person scfW0DDHxQC5esfB)uE+GC0paVhSwbv^)tyLBhzJRK&WGrVuScw1hemes 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."

Finally, without anti-discrimination legislation to protect individuals in the private renting market, LGBTI tenL2Bs&zDJ@nZ(Qv3a!WWjsv6k@2#hph9T*LI7l7N#C+p8K+0UWmants 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 interests and activities online. They can then meet at LGBTI-friendly events in the city-sta$VrIDZCgIUGAxIi!bz()L@nS6(Vt@ZZa1kVIql(qk)*V9Mt6=&te.