Emotional Farewell as Longtime Residents Face Relocation Amid Redevelopment Plans
In Singapore, 42-year-old Janet Yee is facing a tough decision to leave her family’s two-room rental flat in Block 91 Henderson Road, where she has lived her entire life. The flat is filled with memories, from family photos to Buddhist figurines passed down from her parents. For Ms Yee, who works as a senior kitchen leader at a Japanese pizza restaurant, the relocation order from the Housing Development Board (HDB) earlier in 2024 marked the end of an era. She and her family have until September 2025 to move out.
Henderson Heights, where 675 households reside, is undergoing redevelopment, with residents being relocated to other rental flats across Singapore. This relocation marks the sixth such move initiated by HDB in the last five years. Residents, many of whom have lived in the estate for over two decades, are mourning the loss of their long-time homes, the close-knit community, and the sense of security that rental flats once provided.
The estate, built in 1975, is being cleared for new development, and residents are finding themselves torn between their deep emotional connections to the place and the need to move on. The move has been especially difficult for elderly residents, who expected to spend their golden years in the comfort of their familiar neighborhood. For some, like Ms Yee, this is not the first time they’ve had to relocate. In the past, she has lived in various rental units, always with the goal of eventually securing a permanent home for her children.
For others, like 90-year-old retired cleaner Madam Lim Lay Eng, the decision to move again is particularly challenging. Madam Lim had previously been relocated from a nearby block over a decade ago, and now, after more than 20 years in Henderson Heights, she faces another move. “I can’t bear to leave because I have many friends here,” she says, expressing sadness over losing the community that has supported her through the years.
The emotional toll of the relocation process is evident in the stories of many residents. Some families, like Ms Yee’s, have made plans for their future, having already purchased a new flat nearby. Yet, the uncertainty of living in a rental flat until their permanent home is ready is unsettling, particularly when they were hoping to have more time in their current residence.
To ease the burden, HDB has been offering rehousing benefits and supporting residents with the logistics of the move. Families are provided with financial assistance, and relocation grants are available for those looking to purchase their first flat. The process also allows for more personalized support, with HDB setting up a counter at the We Love Learning Centre for residents to select new flats and receive assistance.
For many, though, the relocation signifies more than just a physical move. It represents the loss of a home filled with years of memories and the end of an era in a beloved community. As Ms Yee reflects on the past, she is reminded of the joy and love that filled her flat, even during difficult times. “My mother worked so hard for the family,” she says, “and now, I can finally fulfill her wish of owning a home.”
The farewell is bittersweet, but for those who have called Henderson Heights home for so many years, the future remains uncertain, filled with both hope and sadness.
