Over 500 Young Singaporeans Apply for Discounted Co-Living Rooms as Scheme Is Five Times Oversubscribed

Applications were submitted between July 25 and August 4 to the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY), which then shared information with co-living operators. The rooms are located at 1925 Quarters in Jalan Besar, Coliwoo Boon Lay, and Coliwoo Lutheran in Bukit Timah.

An MCCY spokesperson said the majority of applicants are single, with the most common reason being “the desire for more personal space and the opportunity to experience living independently.” Places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, and information collected such as race, religion, and income level will not be used as selection criteria, according to the National Youth Council.

David Tan, director of 1925 Quarters, said most prospective tenants indicated they would like to try a three- to six-month stay. Coliwoo executive chairman Kelvin Lim said the firm is open to making more rooms available and will work with MCCY to assess demand before deciding on timing, location, and the number of additional units. Tan noted the firm also has an upcoming property at Admiralty Hills, located between Sembawang MRT and Canberra MRT, consisting of 20 black-and-white former colonial houses.

The discounted room rates start at S$1,800 a month, with co-living operators absorbing the subsidies. Some property experts noted that the cost may be a deterrent, especially for young people early in their careers or saving to buy their first home. However, they added that the appeal ultimately depends on individual budgets and preferences.

PropNex CEO Kelvin Fong said some may view co-living as a popular alternative to other rental options due to its flexible lease terms and shared amenities. The S$1,800 rental is also broadly in line with market rates when compared with master bedrooms in private condominiums, he noted.

The strong take-up reflects a broader demographic shift: the number of Singaporean citizens and permanent residents under 35 living alone more than doubled from 10,500 in 2016 to 22,600 in 2025, according to the Department of Statistics.

Lim said co-living rates and furnishing tend to compare favourably to bare-room rentals, and co-living leases start from just one month, unlike typical two-year leases. “For young people stepping into independent living for the first time, that social layer can meaningfully ease the transition, which is part of why we see this as a genuinely different housing experience, rather than simply a cheaper or pricier version of the same thing,” he said.