History of HDB & How They Overcame a Big Problem in 1960s

Last Updated on 2023-05-14 , 12:40 pm

Most of us live in HDB, but do you know the history behind it? Every great organization has a rough start, and that includes even a large one like HDB.

For example, are you aware of the fact that people did not use to trust HDB then?

Now, just look at the demand: unless you’re a foreigner who has just stepped into Singapore, you’ll know HDB.

HDB was first chaired by Lim Kim San who survived WWII. He apparently volunteered for the job and was not paid for three years. Known as one of the great heroes who built modern Singapore, his passing in 2006 was recognized with the Singapore state flag in all Government buildings flown at half-mast on the day of his funeral.

In 1959, there were then no HDB, and people lived in abandoned or unoccupied buildings: Singapore was then not so organized, and many buildings were destroyed during WWII.

Seeing this, the Government started the HDB, building as many low-cost housing units as possible.

However, it was not popular: people still preferred to live in their own housings. They were turned off by the high rent and the small size, and people then still liked to live in kampongs.

Then, in 1961, a major fire (in fact, it’s the largest fire outbreak in the history of Singapore) broke out: known as the Bukit Ho Swee Fire, it killed four people and injured eight-five others.

Until today, no one knew what caused the fire. Because of this, around 16,000 people were left homeless.

The fire prompted the authorities to beef up the construction of new flats as fast as possible, and relocate the homeless people quickly.

It took only ten days after the fire that the victims were housed in new one- or two-room flats. High-rise flats were then considered due to the storage of land.

As more people moved into HDB flats, people then started to trust the organization.

HDB not only provided people with housing, but also a financial security to the owners. Now, almost 82% of Singaporeans live in HDB.

If not for the quick resettlement of the victims then, HDB would not have earned the trust of people, and we might all still be worrying about where to stay!

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