What We Learnt Filming The Homeless In Singapore - Behind The Scenes & Updates

[@4folks]

The best series of CNA Insider - brave enough to pursue a topic most Singaporeans prefer not to admit or face with. Many people are only 3 paychecks away from being homeless. It only takes prolonged illness, needy family member or even pandemic to upset the fine balance we take for granted each day. Thumbs up to the production team for bringing a touchy topic to the forefront, for their human outreach to all involved.

[@reddevils9758]

well said budd

[@catchips3248]

too true

[@nesadcruz7840]

You did a good job trying to produce this in as non judgemental a way as possible. You also have a diverse set of situations. Some however seem to get more sympathy ( based on comments) because they are trying to help themselves more like Roslan and the family of three who left an abusive home. When I was a teacher I encountered teenage students working several jobs to support themselves and their families. One 16 year old had 2 jobs after school. Working as a waiter in F& B, also delivering newspapers in the predawn hours before school. He still did well enough to go to poly and his earnings enabled him to help pay some household bills. They were living in a govt rental flat , his dad abandoned his Mum and 3 kids. He eventually saved enough to put down deposit on a 3 room hdb flat under his mum’s name by working full days during weekends and sch hols. Thomas Ng, wherever you are, I hope you are still doing well. He became the main decision maker and manager of household funds because his Mum was illiterate. I hope you will do a series on teens who work to support themselves and their families.

[@cindyagustiani6897]

I'm from Indonesia and i've watching the 'homeless' videos. The videos really open my eyes about homeless in Singapore. Homeless doesnt mean jobless..I was amazed seeing their spirit to work despite their age. I'm so happy knowing that they're in better place to stay right now. THANKS FOR MAKING THESE GREAT DOCUMENTARY VIDEOS. KUDOS!

[@angelang3510]

This was a brilliant series. It's so true that "not everyone is rich" but we are all still a part of our community, whether we live in a bungalow or are homeless. The truely beautiful (and rich!) souls are the ones who choose to help. They make the world better. ❤

[@TheTinyRedDot]

can't begin to imagine the long hours and faithful journalism ethics behind this brilliant documentary series, kudos !

[@MorendraNodi]

What really warmed my heart is how thoughtful the lead producer has been. Also salute to all social workers. In a field like this, it really is the passion that drives them!

[@markho6577]

Really great piece and kudos to the team for all the hard work. 👍 Have worked on a similar project back in 2018 and was disappointed to see a ST forum article in Mar 2019 saying that the report was an inaccurate depiction of SG's social support system. No doubt the system is good but people do fall into the cracks (there's no perfect system) and it is good to have some deeper introspection on such topics rather than keep to the narrative that there are "no or 0% homeless people" in Singapore. If the society is keen on "lifting the bottom and not cap the top," then it should NEVER assume that there are "no homeless people" around. Life can be brutal but humans can be kinder.

[@kingsufi6164]

Thanks for this. CNA insider really give a good insight on what's going on with the locals. We Singaporeans work work work so hard but forget, to look at our surrounding. Hope more documentary like this happen so that, more Singaporeans are aware and able to support any organization that helping and above all... to eliminate bad views on homelessness, and like he said..... not all size fits all.

[@jandedick7519]

I thoroughly enjoyed this series. Madam Yeo and Hamad were just such sweet souls and I hope life turns around for them soon. I can’t even imagine being 82 and homeless? I hope she and Mr Ho will get married and enjoy the rest of their lives together. We have a lot of homeless in my area and I always give them money for food . It breaks my heart that in this day and age we have so many people living on the streets. Thank you!

[@JustAThought155]

This is fabulous! Thank you showing an issue that is growing on a global level. I too thought Singapore would never have a homeless population due to its wealthy reputation. Being middle aged, I can now identify with earning a decreased income, which makes homelessness a possibility. Prices are skyrocketing whilst job security for older people decreases, so not being able to afford even basic living expenses is no longer considered impossible. Again, this is a real global epidemic affecting many people in even the most wealthiest nations.😢 What is our world doing? Why is wealth expanding while we let our people resort to sleeping on our streets? We HAVE to change this addiction to GREED, in my opinion.😢 We now respect money over humanity.😞

[@Sunshine-zi4nq]

While you are right to some extent , I hope individuals realise too that they need to plan for old age and make wise decisions when young. Some like Susanna really just had a curve ball thrown at her . She didn't contribute to this. However an elderly man who chooses to have a child when he doesn't have financial means to support even himself or someone who makes poor decisions by selling roof over their head then spends all the profits on rent is something else. I have seen a few cases of people bunking in with relatives after cashing out of their hdb , waiting for prices to crash. Many have now lost the opportunity to buy back.

[@RiceSnow777]

This was an excellent series. I was so emotionally invested in each individual. Thank you for an eye-opener topic, esp in Singapore.

[@LouielamsonTranNguyen]

Apparently, the homelessness shelters in Singapore are better than those in America. Absolutely. Good video.

[@edgregory1]

It's never cold there. Easiest place for homelss to survive.

[@delilah-henderson]

Loved this documentary! 👍👌🏻

[@ianpolo5673]

Thanks to the Team. Let us, the people who are living here not to take things for granted and complain.

[@bennychua9932]

This are the moments make us feel so grateful about little things in life ❤ respect to everyone involved in this movement

[@sardonicshell]

This was a great series and I'm really happy to hear of the updates!

[@desireeactionz]

Good job to the producers who have put in so much effort in making this series. It was a great eye opener and I have gained new perspectives from this documentary. Well done!

[@simbeekuan4056]

Kudos for airing this program as we would never imagine that Singapore being a 1st world country would still have people living their lives out in the rough. With this program it makes me so thankful that we have a roof over our head

[@nesadcruz7840]

If anything Its more likely to happen in First world or rich countries . Just look at the US. Everything is more expensive ( Healthcare, housing etc)and If one makes a mistake or misses opportunities when young, Its too late to catch up or U Turn.

[@lindc1070]

Am glad to see at least some of them are doing better. Roselan is working very hard to make his second chance work out and I think he will go on to do well. Susanna's family will too. Its unfortunate what they went through but she and the kids are sensible. Am sure they too long term will be fine. About the rest, I am not sure they will make it even with help. Earning an income when elderly isnt easy and as for Darius , I think he has other problems that need addressing first. Call it attitude or mental illness, fact is he was kicked out twice. By family and a shelter. How is he going to hold a job long term? Sometimes they need the " right help" not just a place to stay.

[@blesseddc5093]

I wonder if Darius' social workers have reached out to his parents to ask them to help him. I doubt he can make it without family support and possibly psychiatric treatment. His behavior has a pattern and its not normal. We can all see this will not end well.

[@kucinggimnastik]

Thank you CNA Insider for this series. prior to watching (and I admit my ignorance) I didn't know they were homeless people in SG. Congratulations to your team and the social workers involved and I personally respect the profiles featured in the series for simply not giving up on life.

[@sohsueping9560]

Love these follow-up series! Thank you for making this documentary! It’s really awesome and heartwarming!

[@rubyjustbeing]

Kudos to CNA insider and the team for producing this documentary. Singapore government needs to continue investing in such content to ensure that Singaporeans stop being ignorant of the less privileged, including the homeless and their circumstance.

[@m03_m]

They are not less privileged before. They was people who uses up all their money to enjoy luxury. When came to time that they couldn't afford, they become people taking social benefits. Many of them have great skills, just that they want to continue their bad habits.

[@6969Liverpool]

Great series 👍 Good job to the production team; respect to all the staff & volunteers; and all the best to all the profiles featured in the programme 🙏

[@Pav_1223]

What a great update, thank you CNA Insider and everyone who made this video!!!

[@banoffiepiek.9018]

The production team put in a lot of effort, and I love this documentary so much. When I first saw Yeo Granny, I was so deeply moved. I wish they could start their new chapter of happy life soon.

[@EC-ll5fq]

Thanks for such a wonderful series. It changed our perspectives toward the homeless. We learned so much from this show. Please consider to translate it to chinese subtitles so we can share the video to many others!

[@64ytb]

Well done, guys. An eye opener for me, definitely. Never take a home for granted. I feel so fortunate after watching this series. I hope to be able to help my Burmese maid rebuild her straw hut home in Myanmar.

[@josephcheng0292]

Very happy to see this! Thank you CNA Insider team!!

[@shirobuta]

Would be interested in seeing a series on unusual jobs in singapore

[@davidimhoff2118]

You guys did a wonderful job making the documentary. I’m really happy for Roselyn. He got a corner flat in a nice building like he wanted on a high floor. That makes me so happy to see him so full of joy he could cry and he probably did. It’s a very nice space. He deserves it. They all do. I’m glad for Hamad too and his generosity is always something so amazing to see. Now he has electricity and a fan and he couldn’t be happier. Maybe the person that has birds at their flat will need a new partner and he can move in. I’m sure he will find something. He’s a wonderful soul. I live in the USA and we have homeless in all our states. It’s sad to see and people can be so rude and ignorant to them. We don’t know their situation like you said and people just assume the person is on drugs or alcohol. So what if they are. They are going through a difficult time in their life. I wish people had a bit more compassion.

[@Rickonytube]

Every country has own problem, Singapore hardly discusses own system and issue. It's a good start.

[@saifaman8569]

The government blind their eyes. The people itself help each other

[@goheechoo]

Salute those social workers for your patient and compassion, a tough job.

[@themrgumbatron]

kudos to everyone involved.

[@pt4822]

Thank you for the updates. It's good to know what happened in the background. Good to know they are well.

[@celestialstar124]

This is a great topic and cna have done it well. Love this episode so much.

[@cdang8742]

This series shows that Singapore is the best place for under priviledge. Imagine in US or UK ...who cares about them. Homelessness is everywhere there

[@fannyatmaningrum]

PROUD OF U GUYS. BECAME YOUTH AND BE ABLE TO HELP OTHERS. RESPECT

[@Caheku590]

So glad to see this video, all in one to help the homeless..❤

[@bingdaliew9736]

Amazing behind the scenes and follow up. Love the in depth coverage of an important topic

[@yeahzeed]

Good job, really liked the series. Would wait for more. This is indeed another view from within singapore citizen, especially the lower tier . Their story seldom we hear. Keep it up. Pray for the best to all of them. Your earned my Sub and Like. Thanks

[@flourishwithMJ]

Stay strong. God loves you all. Thank you.🧡

[@hyk33]

thanks for doing a follow up updates vid, this is a brilliant series! kudos to production team as well!

[@nicklee7002]

CNA should go to Jalan Besar, like Dickson road to see homeless people. NEA should also visit these minor roads to clear all those clutters.

[@blesseddc5093]

To be honest, most of these cases are people who arent easy to help. Except for Suzanna and her kids and Roslan. Coincidentally they are also the ones who got transitional homes. I notice that 3 of those you featured are elderly. Mdm Yeo has qualified for a flat but are there any govt funded or charity run nursing homes for Mr Hamad and Mr Tok? Mr Tok is very unlikely to get a job at his age especially since he is so choosy and has a health condition. Would it not be more suitable to place him in a nursing home? In fact many rough sleepers are elderly. Can they be placed in Nursing homes?

[@janglefangle7033]

Great follow up to the series. I learnt quite a bit watching these videos and hope that more will click through to understand their situations that are quite invisible to most people.

[@aero.l]

Seems like Singapore is doing a great job. So little homeless people.

[@zena1022]

Great effort! Thank you!

[@FriceRice2819]

Please keep up your great work!

[@Josephlimk]

Yes, some of the comments read by the team is so true in reflecting the wrong perception of what homelessness is. Even some working in the social services also harbor such thoughts like one is homeless simply because they made bad decision or have mental illness. It is also interesting for some to think that there is no poverty in Singapore. If one will just google, you will find that SMU did a study in 2020 and discovered that 10% of Singapore's household experience food insecurity.

[@RonLarhz]

I rmb the bmw comment. Got roast by other comments for being ignorant of renting.

[@Sunshine-zi4nq]

But the documentary does reinforce this stereotype. 2 of them were expelled by Shelters with good reason so it seems. In Mr Tok's case we don't know if indeed he was " fixedup" but the fact is he didn't do his part and this wasn't fair to other residents. Also not that I don't sympathise with his asthma situation but how is he going to get employed? Others with asthma find a way around it. Not that he isn't a nice guy but is he helpable? I can sympathise with social workers facing such cases, especially if they feel entitled.

[@bomaz293]

Thanks for these insights. Cool to see that, even from France. ;)

[@surferwang]

thanks for the amazing content!

[@nicekit]

Thank you Dynn and Yuxin for the follow up.. great work :D

[@jeanong9693]

Good job!

[@Oldirocks]

Thk u

[@zueinder89]

The BMW for Grab is poor justification. Anyone that has driven PHV or personally talked to PHV drivers before knows that they rather drive Grab Premimum because the jobs pay more per trip so they can make lesser trips, not earn more money overall. Props to the team for having such empathy despite having a strong 'glass house resident' vibe.

[@Its_a_me_WSA]

Susana's abusive family member needs to be reported to the police with this documentary. We don't need disgusting members of society like these scums who abuse their own family

[@Blacattacsquadron]

My family does the same. The actually pray for your downfall so they can have access to your valuable possessions and toss you out and brag about it to everyone. And the sad part is, I sacrificed so much for them but they do this instead of honoring me in my time of need and that time came years after the fact. They even go to Facebook and subliminally talk about me for the likes.

[@lindc1070]

With such families, you need to cut the chord and distance yourself

[@kengleetan63]

​@@lindc1070...your comment sounds familiar...like someone saying severing family ties!😆😆😆😆

[@lindc1070]

@@kengleetan63 my familynisnt like that so I dont need to sever ties. But I have friends whose lives were destroyed by toxic family. One ended up in debts and was suicidal. The other destroyed her marriage because of her family's interference and unreasonable demands. Her husband cannot tahan. She regretted after she got divorced and realised that her family was just using her. So as an observer I have learnt a thing or 2

[@Sunshine-zi4nq]

If I am not wrong she is getting a divorce so surely it will all be brought up. She should get some financial proceeds too from that.

[@bowlampar]

'No Poverty' in a Little Red Dot is usually the common perception of foreign political leaders and tourists rather than domestic residents. 🤫

[@lokesh303101]

State has to accommodate them in Cubicle Homes to avoid Homelessness.

[@AnisaNurfadilah-o4d]

The uncle and onty even have much better life management than me 😢

[@RonLarhz]

So roselan got the rental hdb alone? This is why need to build more smaller single units. Make it achievable. 2rm hdb is 200k nowadays. Too much for people with challenging life. Most important is just a toilet n a bed. 3x4m is smaller than roselan but still livable. Also doesn't make sense that the mom with kids cant rent from hdb. Another example of rigidity. Just bcos mom not sgrean IC. This how the system treat sgrean kids!!😠😠😠

[@CNAInsider]

Hi there, thanks for the question! To clarify, Roselan secured the rental flat with his co-tenant. -Zhi Xin, Digital Producer

[@blesseddc5093]

The government will be building dormitory style single rooms with shared facilities like kitchen and bathrooms soon

[@93hothead]

the takeaway at the end is given from a privileged point of view. homelessness is definitely about not having a home, the word literally has no other meaning to it.

[@sitoudien9816]

There difference of homelessness in SG and the west is night and day. Homelessness in SG is sort of manageable because of its small size, controlled immigration, control of narcotics, tough attitude of crime and a more homogenous society. I'm appalled by some singaporean's mean attitudes in the comments. It's not the first time I"ve encountered this.

[@m03_m]

I more wish that Government come out with a rules for people who are taking advantage for being poor by using all their money when they have. Many social sectors are giving more benefits to those that create trouble that will affect the economic. For the sick of economic, they will get to solve their problems first so will not affect the economic movement. Where for those who follow rules and don't create trouble for others, most of the time they will suffer in silent and only get know when something bad happened.

[@Sunshine-zi4nq]

Can you elaborate how people take advantage of being poor? And which social sectors give more benefits to those who create trouble?

[@jarrodyuki7081]

if you possess illegal contrabnad the police will seize the illegal contrabnad anything that contains the illegal contrabnad and arrest you.

[@hazelem1266]

Nelson Mandela: Don’t judge a country by the number of millionaires, judge them by the number of homeless.

[@jeffer8762]

Foreigner see Singapore = Crazy rich asian, but under the table we have homeless

[@johnchua9387]

Tell me which country in this world do not have homeless people?

[@93hothead]

@@johnchua9387 north korea lol

[@MrBoliao98]

You add the S3P and befriender, I think we got more social worker and volunteer than homeless people.

[@angelatee1601]

Why not consider how much pain and struggles the homeless have is insurmountable compared to everyone that help them.

[@MrBoliao98]

@@angelatee1601 ur a very negative person looking at pain and struggles. You have a problem, you sort it and adapt. And well the documentary also show us the auntie and Mr Ho finding each other having a better relationship than most married 80 year olds. So what, life is not fair and is not smooth, you want to be bitter and focus on the horrible or be happy like the weirdo malay supermarket packer singing to his birds, it's up to you. I look at them, hopefully they get shelter and they seem like the normal ones who can do it. And so good for them and I wish them all the best.

[@knock-knockwhosthere9933]

This is an F U episode to the slandering haters 🤣🤣🤣👍

[@gohcheekiong4176]

Just a peck of the iceberg 😅😅

[@Diderot68]

Good job shooting the video, but I feel weird when I hear “these people”.

[@xtreame]

Meanwhile, we got ministers staying in mega houses

[@supernova7966]

wkwkwkwk

[@angxiang3186]

This sucks - the whole theme is about those homeless people. What I see is 2 persons talking about their experiences n endeavours about homeless people. Who r the subjects for this video - definitely no those 2s. So stop remaking the wheel.

[@G2H_HellBringer]

Read the title again, genius.

[@haselfrancisco5420]

A lot of bs.

[@fuqingshen]

"Renting a BMW basically gives him access to premium rides, which pay a lot more than the normal rides that you get if you were to drive a normal car" (sic). What logic is that? Absurd! If that is the truth, there will be many BMWs rented out to PHV drivers. Lol.

[@Blacattacsquadron]

You're very wrong. Uber pays top dollar for luxury car drivers than standard vehicles. Which means that gentleman is in a good place and he is wise to know what will help him and what will keep him down. Come to America talking like that and you will never have friends or acquaintances. Everyone will absolutely dislike you even the rich!!! I see why so many suffer because of people like you!

[@kengleetan63]

The country got homeless meh? Lawrence says min salary even for Dip holder is more than $9000 per mth? No? You mean it was a lie?😆😆😆😆🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@markyangels4855]

That's stupid to find hopeless sgr that abuse sg helpless situation n govt responsibility 😂

[@sharayutravels]

Honestly one can never know what people go through. Never assume . Show empathy not sympathy.. yes exceptions are there but rare!!

[@c_cma1971]

Life learning, very touching. Hope they are a little more better now. Greetings from Bucharest (Romania)!

[@alexlim4508]

Thanks for all your honest and open sharing. Well done team 🎉

[@Sunshine-zi4nq]

Been following this series and it's a good one to spread awareness. But can't say its an eye opener. More like it reinforces what I believed all along . Choices we make in life can come back to bite us , especially in Singapore where things ( including prices) move fast . Take Mdm Yeo for e.g I don't understand how she could sell a pte condo and use up all her funds renting while waiting for prices to come down. It is not that I don't sympathise with where she is now but her decisions contributed to this scenario. Am glad though that she is registering her marriage and can rent a govt flat. Fact is Age is unforgiving. The older one is, the less the ability to turn things around. Mr Hamad and Mr Tok too have this problem being older. I hope all 3 of them and the others get settled and stay settled for the rest of their days.

[@lindc1070]

Agreed. It reinforces what most of us believed. Some cases are due to mental illness. A young person who has problem with authority and following rules, who even got kicked out of a shelter, I would think is a possible case. Susanna's case , was unfortunate, could have happened to anyone. The others , I feel in some ways made decisions early in life that led them here. Its not about judging but I hope young people will learn from this and take note. In SG , its not easy to get a fresh start after a certain age especially.

[@Lucisev_]

I think it came back to what the producer says that we shouldn't assume. It could be that she was scammed into doing business, or other reasons. I am fairly savvy and very careful regarding my personal finance. I educated myself of common scams. But even then sometimes you still make a mistake.

[@awakenedservant]

@CnaInsider go visit the old lady who sleeps outside McDonald's of bedok north 536, she is there every night

[@84vietskater]

Make better decisions and save for your retirement

[@rv3590]

Kudos to u all❤❤

[@ArabicReja973]

Many homeless people in the US 🇺🇸 are richer than the middle class in China. - Some homeless people are not poor. They just want a life with freedom.

[@schadenfreude6274]

Power lah, CNA Insider. Thank you for featuring my comment. I have been a Nobody all my life and now finally Roselan and Rahman's BMW has made me Famous. Moral of Story: If you assume things about people, sooner or later you will be recognized for your hard work and effort. :)