Not all rough sleepers are homeless. Some sleep in public spaces despite having homes. due to various circumstances. They include cross-border workers without proper accommodation, hoarders whose homes are overcrowded or infested, those avoiding conflict, noise or stress at home, and seniors who fear dying alone and unnoticed.
Conversely, not all homeless persons sleep rough. The homeless include the stateless and those recently released from prison without the means to rent a room. While some live in shelters, others cycle through temporary housing arrangements, says Fion Phua. She has run Keeping Hope Alive (KHA), a groundup volunteer initiative supporting the less privileged in Singapore, for 40 years.
Homelessness in Singapore is largely hidden because of strict rules and enforcement, Phua notes. “For example, individuals with expired visas remain invisible out of necessity. Otherwise, they risk being deported.”
Apart from providing aid to the homeless, KHA also supports elderly and vulnerable residents in one- and two-room rental flats with practical, hands-on care: decluttering homes, delivering essential groceries, helping with utility bills, repairing electronics, and even trimming fingernails for those who cannot do so themselves.
Imaginably, many lack access to the internet, and with it, the digital literacy needed to navigate an increasingly ‘smart’ society. As such, they lose access to essential information and public updates, falling through the cracks in an increasingly digitalised world.
KHA’s work is, at its core, about preserving dignity. “We restore comfort, safety and a sense of normalcy,” explains Phua, who also runs Tee Up Marketing Enterprises, which deals in golf, social, and marina club memberships. “It’s work we do in our spare time. It’s a quiet commitment to give back to society and to contribute meaningfully.”
The harsh realities underscore not just hardship, but the urgency of inclusive, groundlevel support as well. Rather than an economic or policy failure, Phua says they reflect a social gap. Although Singapore’s systems are structured and well-intentioned, its high level of optimisation can leave little room for flexibility. The issue, then, is less about a lack of provision than a lack of adaptability in addressing grey areas and personal circumstances that do not fit neatly into predefined categories.
Running a ground-up initiative is no easy task. A major challenge Phua faces is volunteer retention—maintaining the courage, time, and energy required on the ground can be arduous. Still, she takes a long view. “I have learnt to accept that volunteers come and go and to focus on keeping the mission steady rather than holding on too tightly.”
Limited resources present another hurdle. She navigates this through collaboration, allowing people to contribute according to their strengths.
“Some donate items, some offer services, and others share their skills. It’s a platform where everyone contributes what they can.”
Fion Phua on communal involvement
The task of helping the needy doesn’t have to be onerous, Phua argues. The answer to homelessness lies in flexible, interim solutions like capsule-style short stays that offer affordable, short-term accommodation; community centres that serve as rest spaces; and flexible payment options—perhaps via CPF—for those with limited cash resources. These measures would allow individuals to rest and regain stability as they ease into permanent housing.
Everyone can play a part in helping the less privileged among us. While some aspects of care can be professionalised, Phua notes, it comes down to heart and willingness, not just structure. “Not all forms of support can be turned into paid work as some roles require a level of care that goes beyond compensation. Ultimately, we need to ensure the less privileged stay connected, seen, and supported.”
Photography Mun Kong
Art direction Ed Harland
Hair Sarah Tan using Goldwell
Makeup Zhou Aiyi using YSL Beauty
Photography assistant Melvin Leong
