Concerns about housing affordability among issues raised at first Forward Singapore public engagement session

Concerns about housing affordability and the difficulty of securing a Build-to-Order flat were among several issues raised at the Ministry of National Development’s (MND) first Forward Singapore engagement session on Sunday (Sept 25). 

Attended by around 180 members of the public from various backgrounds, it was the first of about 20 public engagement sessions and roadshows by the ministry that will run till December. 

It was also the first session to be held since the initiative was launched by Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at a dialogue organised by the National Trades Union Congress in June.

Sunday's event, held at the Urban Redevelopment Authority Centre, was attended by youths and the elderly, and had a mix of both Singapore citizens and permanent residents. 

The participants were separated into breakout groups, with each consisting of around eight to 10 participants from various demographics.

The media were not allowed into the discussion sessions but TODAY spoke to two people after the event.