CREATING A ROBUST SUPPORT SYSTEM
The initiative brings together the public, private and people sectors to manage hoarding issues “in a more holistic and sustainable manner”, said the Ministry of National Development and Ministry of Social and Family Development on Wednesday (Jan 22).
NEAT comprises 28 members from government agencies, social service agencies, community groups and private organisations.
The members include agencies that have extensive experience supporting hoarders and spotting at-risk cases. Trade and industry associations keen to contribute to decluttering and refreshing homes, including the Singapore Contractors Association (SCAL) and the Waste Management & Recycling Association of Singapore, are also involved.
Mr Roy Khoo, treasurer and co-chair of corporate social responsibility at SCAL, told CNA’s Singapore Tonight that it can tap on its more than 3,000 construction firms and allied businesses to help out with maintenance works at affected homes.
“Most of these flats are very poorly maintained,” he added. “They probably will need new paint, repairs to sanitary wares or leaky pipes, and in some cases electrical wiring.
“Sometimes, more extensive work is required including the replacement of doors and windows, and even flooring.”
The group is co-chaired by Senior Minister of State for National Development Sim Ann and Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Social and Family Development Eric Chua.
Minister for National Development and Minister-in-charge of Social Services Integration Desmond Lee serves as the team’s adviser.
NEAT will tap the collective expertise of its members to engage families affected by hoarding, said Mr Lee.
The move comes amid a rising number of active hoarding cases, which agencies warn will have consequences if not tackled.
In severe cases of hoarding, items can spill into the corridors, posing significant health and fire risks and also obstructing firefighting efforts.
