The quest for a balanced ethnic mix: Singapore's ethnic quota policy examined

To achieve a 'balanced' ethnic mix, Singapore has implemented an ethnic quota policy on public housing since 1 March 1989. With 86 per cent of the population living in public housing, this policy has immense repercussions on the configuration of the ethnic residential landscape. This article examines the impact of the quota policy on the buying and renting, as well as the selling or letting, of public housing. The differential response by the various ethnic groups is revealed. The policy per se may not achieve its intended impact and may, ironically, have the least impact on the group it was most intended for. Integration policies must be more holistic in approach and more sympathetic in execution.