Addressing Hoarding Behavior in Singapore: A Comprehensive ‘Whole-of-Society’ Initiative
In a groundbreaking move to tackle hoarding behavior in Singapore, the government has launched a new initiative called the New Environment Action Team (NEAT). This initiative aims to bring together various sectors of society, including social service agencies, community groups, and private organizations, to address hoarding issues in a coordinated and sustainable manner.
NEAT: A Holistic Approach to Hoarding
NEAT, consisting of 28 members, 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 Desmond Lee serves as the team’s advisor. The alliance seeks to go beyond mere decluttering and refreshing homes to create a robust support system that shifts behavior, strengthens community support, and prevents recurrence of hoarding tendencies.
Ministries have highlighted that hoarding behavior often originates from complex and deep-rooted causes such as mental health conditions, trauma, social isolation, or deep grief. With Singapore’s aging population and changing demographics, the number of hoarding cases is expected to rise, posing health and safety hazards for both occupants and neighbors.
HMCG: Managing Hoarding Cases
The Hoarding Management Core Group (HMCG), led by the Municipal Services Office (MSO), has been actively monitoring and managing hoarding cases since 2014. As of June 2024, the HMCG has successfully reduced the severity of 270 cases while working on addressing another 357 active hoarding cases, indicating a rise from 253 cases in December 2021. Government agencies from the HMCG will collaborate with NEAT to manage severe cases and ensure public safety.
NEAT’s Collaborative Efforts
NEAT members include a diverse range of organizations such as social service agencies, trade associations, and government bodies, all working towards a common goal of addressing hoarding behavior holistically. Habitat for Humanity Singapore, one of the social service agencies involved, emphasized the importance of a collective effort in tackling hoarding issues.
Mr. Francis Foo, national director of Habitat for Humanity Singapore, stated, “Hoarding is a complex issue that requires a whole-of-society effort to manage. Each member brings unique expertise and experience to the table, and by sharing these insights and learning from one another, we can improve our approach to tackling hoarding.”
Through NEAT, the alliance aims to coordinate efforts, optimize resources and volunteers, increase awareness of hoarding behavior, and explore preventive measures to combat this pressing issue in Singapore. By fostering collaboration across sectors, NEAT hopes to make a significant impact on managing hoarding behavior effectively.