[eru]

Wikipedia says 'usually'. And, yes, you are right that the individual HDB flats are typically owned by individual families (though the government also owns some and rents them out, but that's the exception).

However, HDB still does a lot of the managing. Eg HDB manages the lifts and other common spaces. They organise getting the exterior repainted, or general upgrading works to plumbing etc.

HDB also subsidises the price of a flat when you buy directly from them. There's a reason they have maximum income caps for buying.

My unpopular opinion: HDB should declare victory and go home. They more than solved the original acute housing shortage they were created for.

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Singapore does a lot of things right. And HDB is, as usually a lot more competent than pretty much any other public housing programme anywhere else in the world. But that doesn't mean everything Singapore does (including HDB) is automatically a good idea forever.

Just like our local recreational drug policy could probably be improved by moving closer to what we do with the casinos. And the ban on vaping is just silly.

[youre-wrong3]

> However, HDB still does a lot of the managing. Eg HDB manages the lifts and other common spaces. They organise getting the exterior repainted, or general upgrading works to plumbing etc.

By that logic every apartment block is public housing.

[eru]

No, why? The condos in Singapore are run by private-sector management companies.

[youre-wrong3]

Because someone manages the lifts lights and exterior. So it must be public housing by your logic.

[eru]

Huh? HDB, which is an arm of the government, manages lifts, light and exterior.

The condo management companies are not arms of the government.

What is so hard about this? Is there something I'm not understanding?

[youre-wrong3]

If the criteria to be public housing is that someone manages the lifts, lights, and exterior. Then all apartment blocks are public housing. Condos and HDBs are all public housing.

[eru]

Your logic is infallible. Of course, your premise is rubbish.

It's not about whether 'someone' is managing these things. Even an owner-occupier is managing their own lights and exteriors.

A useful criterion is whether the government (or an arm of the government) is managing these things. Like HDB, but unlike your typical condo management organisation. It's far from the only criterion, but it's a useful indicator.

[tovej]

The criteria for social housing is that the government subsidized it.

That's all.