The Interim Rental Housing (IRH) scheme will be revised to better assist Singaporean families that fall hardships and need urgent housing, National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan announced.

Making the announcement via a blog post, Mr. Khaw said that the National Development Ministry and the Housing & Development Board (HDB) would enhance the scheme in several ways.

Tweaks will be made to allow the HDB to limit the role of the private operators. They will be able to manage the IRH tenancies & premises on behalf of HDB.

More guidelines will be introduced to make sure better pairing of households which is necessary to reduce possible conflicts.

Under the Interim Rental Housing scheme, two families will share a flat. This will lower their rental costs.

The tenancy period will be extended from the half year to a full year, and needy families will be able to get the tenancy period renewed for up to two years.

While 45,000 families are currently living in HDB rental flats, more only 1,500 families are reaping the benefits of the IRH scheme. The HDB has assured that it was working with Community Development Councils, voluntary welfare organizations and family service centres to help needy families get long-term sustainable solutions.

The first site to operate under the revised IRH scheme is situated at Dover Road, with around five hundred flats for IRH tenants.