The recent launch of HDB's new Single Room Shared Facilities (SRSF) rental pilot scheme is well-intentioned, but the hardware and layout of the rooms have attracted a lot of criticism, making the issue of "no human rights for singles" a hot topic again.

One of Red Ant's partners complained that the new single room sharing facilities were a replica of a university dormitory, and even worse than the university.

Another commented that while the new single room share facilities are affordable rentals, the authorities could have put more effort into the interior design and furniture quality, or at least made the overall atmosphere less gloomy.

A local independent media outlet, Rice media, was even more scathing, citing a comparison with prisons in the Nordic countries, suggesting that the new room-sharing facility was more uncomfortable than a prison sentence.

The layout and hardware of the new single room sharing facility has attracted a lot of criticism.

In general, there are only three options for single people who want to own their own home.

Apply for a two-bedroom flexible flat pre-purchase HDB flat after reaching the age of 35.

Buying a resale HDB flat after reaching the age of 35.

For those who are better off, they may also be able to consider buying a private home before the age of 35.

With all three options, there are still limitations. Those who want a larger space cannot buy it at pre-purchase HDB prices, and when they turn to the resale market, the prices of resale HDB flats have risen alarmingly in recent years, not to mention that private housing is simply not affordable for middle-income earners.

Under the "Home Ownership" policy philosophy, singletons are indeed the unloved ones.

According to the 2020 Census, the proportion of singles under the age of 50 in Singapore has increased significantly from a decade ago.

The most significant increase in the number of singles is among the younger age groups.

Among the 25-29 year olds, the proportion of single males increased from 74.6 per cent in 2010 to 81.6 per cent in 2020, while the proportion of single females increased from 54 per cent to 69 per cent over the same period.

The same applies to the 30-34 age group, with the proportion of single men increasing from 37.1 per cent in 2010 to 41.9 per cent in 2020 and the proportion of single women increasing from 25.1 per cent to 32.8 per cent over the same period.

According to the Singapore Department of Statistics, the median age of first-time brides and grooms will be 30.5 and 29.1 years old respectively in 2021, up from 30.1 and 28 years old 10 years ago.

On the other hand, in addition to unmarried singles, with the change in social attitudes, the younger generation of the country today cherishes personal freedom and is more eager to have personal space.

Especially after the rise of home working during the epidemic, many young singles are eager to move out of their families of origin earlier and live independently.

Whether it is the "I can live better on my own" non-maritalism or the self-consciousness of leaving one's family of origin earlier to live independently, it is a personal choice and not an unforgivable misconception.

But while this year's Budget authorities are applauding local couples for the various benefits they have offered, such as housing concessions, baby bonuses and education, singles are experiencing more of a sense of loss than they can see.

As Singapore faces an ageing trend with a declining fertility rate, it is understandable that the government is promoting a family-centred policy, but marriage is not a matter of wanting it or having it.

In recent years, there have been a number of proposals to improve the treatment of singles in public housing policies, including lowering the age threshold for singles to buy pre-owned HDB flats and resale HDB flats to 28, allowing singles to buy larger pre-owned HDB flats, and expanding the rental HDB policy, such as adjusting the income ceiling and age to qualify for rental.

Under the Forward Singapore campaign led by Prime Minister's successor Wong Choon Choy, the goal is to review and update the social contract to create a more inclusive and equitable Singapore.

This new social contract must have a place for singles - after all, everyone is part of the Singaporean family, whether they have a family or not, and no one should be left behind.